Ongoing research continues to both expand the understanding of the needs of transfusion recipients and to provide opportunities to better meet these needs through developing new red cell (RBC) products. This session will summarize the unmet needs of transfusion recipients, and new approaches being pursued. The role of oxidative damage during storage, an important factor of why RBCs degrade and the potential for improved outcomes will be explored. Attendees completing this session will understand new RBC storage systems removing oxygen or using new additives to enhance RBC transfusion therapy.
Outline:

Speaker 1 - Topic 1: Oxygen Degradation of the RBC with current storage methods

Define the oxidative damage that RBC experience after collection and storage and how it impairs its functionality
Recognize the changes in RBC quality caused by oxidative damage as measured by current techniques.
Question the effects of oxidative damage and the role it plays on RBC quality, specifically in assessing successful patient treatment and expected outcomes.
Hypothesize potential opportunities (ie: hypoxic blood or additive solutions) for both short and long term efficacy, to improve RBC quality and resulting patient outcomes.

Speaker 2 - Topic 2: Unmet needs and problems to be solved with current RBC transfusions:

Benefits of Improved oxygen delivery and prolonged RBC lifespan for acute and chronic transfusions, emphasizing the improvement of clinical outcomes with improved oxygen delivery
Improvements in blood processing and storage - novel methods to preserve and store RBC ( AS7, Hemanext, and Rejuvasol) with improved in vitro properties
Development of new RBC therapy products with augmented efficacy and/or safety profiles. Presentation will describe the early clinical trials that are getting underway to demonstrate efficacy and safety improvements.

All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.

Steven Spitalnik MD, PhD

Columbia University Medical Center

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