63 Past, present, and future of red blood cells Historical RBC trends Trend/Theme Drivers/Factors Definition Example quote Innovations with unspecified/ uncertain effect Universal red cells This sub-code encompasses both the perceived advantages and challenges in the creation of universal red cells. We have an interesting researcher that has done a lot of work on pegylating red blood cells, so removing the visibility of the antigens. I don’t think it’s used in practice very often; [there were] a couple of extreme cases where we couldn’t provide red cells. I think they tried to use it, but I don’t believe it’s been easily scalable, at least to date. I guess that’s something to watch. RBCs as carrier This sub-code describes how RBCs could have an alternative function as a drug carrier. So I think they are interesting, in making, let’s say, drug vehicles: it’s also nice to genetically modify them so they can do different things than red cells. You can also add a receptor on the surface that mops up toxins or whatever. That would be nice. But I don’t think it will be making a real alternative. Other markers for O2 demand This sub-code describes alternative methods to measure oxygen demand instead of reliance upon hemoglobin alone as a justification for RBC transfusion. The thing that has NOT developed very much is, I think, the surrogate marker of hemoglobin. We take hemoglobin as a marker for RBC transfusion. I think there are opportunities to take other markers of O2 demand, and these are starting to be explored. I really think that is the future. cRBCs This sub-code encompasses both the perceived advantages and disadvantages in the creation of cultured RBCs. I don’t think that [cRBCs] will be the future, actually. It’s too expensive. I know people are working on it within Sanquin but I think the niche market will be very small, and it will be more expensive than drawing blood from donors.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTk4NDMw