title: Epitope-based matching for HLA-alloimmunized platelet refractoriness in patients with hematologic diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  For HLA-alloimmunized patients, platelet (PLT) concentrations are provided either at matched HLA-A and HLA-B loci or by serologic cross-reactivity groups (CREG) matching strategy. However, this method has some limitations.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, the epitope-based matching (EBM) method was evaluated for selecting proper HLA-typed PLTs for patients with PLT transfusion refractoriness. Bead-based single-antigen HLA antibody detection method and HLAMatchmaker software were used to define the epitopes recognized by HLA-specific antibodies and to select compatible PLTs for nine patients with alloimmunized refractoriness. Corrected count increments (CCIs) were prospectively determined to compare successful transfusion rates among different matching methods in 142 PLT transfusions. In addition, HLA antibodies were serially detected to see whether any emerging antibodies appeared after receiving the EBM-matched PLTs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The transfusion success rates evaluated with 1-hour CCIs for perfect matching or lacking any mismatching at HLA-A and -B locus (A/BU)-matched, CREG-matched, and EBM-matched PLTs were 85.2, 63.2, and 83.7%, respectively. Compared to CREG-matched PLTs, EBM-matched PLTs showed better transfusion results (p = 0.035). In the follow-up study (7 months; range, 3-13 months), no emerging HLA-specific antibodies were detected after receiving EBM-matched PLTs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EBM performed on the basis of bead-based single-antigen HLA antibody detection coupled with the HLAMatchmaker program is recommended in choosing proper PLTs for refractory patients when A/BU-matched PLTs were not available.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shun-Chung
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.forename: Shyh-Chyi
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: Su-Jen
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lin Tsai
authors.forename: Ji-Sheng
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Dong-Tsamn
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Kuo-Sin
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Liang-In
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000741:Anemia, Aplastic / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D016824:Antigens, Human Platelet / Q000276:immunology*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000276:immunology; D003429:Cross Reactions / Q000276:immunology; D018604:Epitope Mapping; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D017713:Platelet Transfusion / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012984:Software
chemical_list: D016824:Antigens, Human Platelet; D000939:Epitopes; D006680:HLA Antigens