ABO-INCOMPATIBLE MARROW TRANSPLANTS

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Abstract
Data from 81 [blood group] ABO-incompatible marrow transplants performed between 1972 and 1980 were analyzed. Patients with high anti-red blood cell antibody levels pretransplant had a significantly increased probability of antibody return post-transplant. This was true for IgG and for IgM as independent variables. The return of antibody post-transplant had no effect on engraftment, survival or blood product requirements post-transplant. Patients who received ABO-incompatible marrow had a similar time to engraftment, survival and incidence of rejection and graft-vs.-host disease as patients receiving ABO-compatible transplants. Neither pretransplant treatment regimen nor the development of graft-vs.-host disease had an effect on post-transplant antibody levels. ABO-incompatible marrow transplants can be performed with no greater morbidity or mortality than ABO-compatible grafts. The procedures for antibody removal may be useful in other organ transplant settings.