Therapeutic efficacy of platelet transfusion treated with amotosalen/UVA pathogen inactivation technology (INTERCEPT Blood System) in acute myeloid leukemia patients undergoing chemotherapy with curative intent: a single center experience.

BACKGROUND

The INTERCEPT Blood System (Intercept Blood System, Cerus Europe BV, Amersfoort, the Netherlands) has been used to reduce or inactivate pathogen load in platelet concentrates in France for three years.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

After comparing the transfusion efficiency between pathogen-reduced platelets (PR_PLT) and untreated platelet products (U_PLT), our single-center observational study assessed the effectiveness of PR_PLT for the prevention of bleeding and for therapeutic treatment of WHO grade 2 bleeding in 176 patients undergoing chemotherapy with curative intent for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The main endpoints were the 24-hour (h) corrected count increment (24h_CCI) after each transfusion, and time to next transfusion.

RESULTS

Whereas the transfused doses tended to be higher in the PR_PLT group compared to U_PLT, there was a significant difference in intertransfusion interval (ITI) and 24h_CCI. In prophylactic transfusions, PR_PLT transfusions of >0.65×10/10 kg, regardless of the age of the product (day 2 to day 5), resulted in a 24h_CCI similar to that of the untreated platelet product; this meant the patient could be transfused at least every 48h. In contrast, most PR_PLT transfusions of <0.55×10/10 kg did not achieve a transfusion interval of 48h. In the context of WHO grade 2 bleeding, PR_PLT transfusions >0.65×10/10 kg and storage of less than 4 days seems more effective in stopping bleeding.

DISCUSSION

These results, which must be confirmed by prospective studies, indicate the need for vigilance regarding the quantity and quality of PR_PLT products used to treat patients at risk of bleeding crisis. Future prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.