Recruitment of unrelated persons as bone marrow donors. A preliminary experience.

Seven hundred and sixty-three blood donors previously typed for HLA-A and B antigens were asked to consider donating bone marrow to unrelated patients for whom no HLA-matched sibling was available. Eighty-eight percent (668) indicated willingness to donate marrow, and of these, 615 (81%) participated in testing and 53 (7%) were unable to participate at the time of the request. Donors matched for HLA-A, B, C, and DR antigens and compatible in the mixed-leukocyte culture reaction were identified for 12 patients and eight transplants were performed. Engraftment was successful in all eight patients. In this article the factors considered in planning the program, the protocol eventually developed, the problems encountered, and critical issues of informed consent and donor confidentiality are reviewed.