Patients, Scientists Agree: Automated Red Blood Cell Exchange Enhances Quality of Life in Sickle Cell Disease Patients
Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies has completed a meta-analysis demonstrating the effectiveness of automated red blood cell exchange (aRBCX) in improving quality of life for sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. The study, published in Vox Sanguinis, analyzed over two decades of research and showed that aRBCX leads to shorter hospital stays, reduced procedure times, and fewer pain-related hospitalizations.
The research supports patient testimonials about aRBCX's benefits in managing SCD complications. The company's Spectra Optia™ Apheresis System is used to remove sickled cells from patients' blood. The study also highlighted the need for further research on psychosocial aspects of treatment.
Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies ha completato una meta-analisi che dimostra l'efficacia dello scambio automatizzato di globuli rossi (aRBCX) nel migliorare la qualità della vita dei pazienti con anemia falciforme (SCD). Lo studio, pubblicato su Vox Sanguinis, ha analizzato oltre due decenni di ricerca e ha mostrato che l'aRBCX porta a tempi di degenza ospedaliera più brevi, riduzione dei tempi delle procedure e minori ospedalizzazioni legate al dolore.
La ricerca supporta le testimonianze dei pazienti sui benefici dell'aRBCX nella gestione delle complicanze della SCD. Il sistema di aferesi Spectra Optia™ dell'azienda è utilizzato per rimuovere le cellule falciformi dal sangue dei pazienti. Lo studio ha anche evidenziato la necessità di ulteriori ricerche sugli aspetti psicosociali del trattamento.
Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies ha completado un meta-análisis que demuestra la efectividad del intercambio automatizado de glóbulos rojos (aRBCX) en la mejora de la calidad de vida de los pacientes con enfermedad de células falciformes (SCD). El estudio, publicado en Vox Sanguinis, analizó más de dos décadas de investigación y mostró que el aRBCX conduce a estancias hospitalarias más cortas, tiempos de procedimiento reducidos y menos hospitalizaciones relacionadas con el dolor.
La investigación respalda los testimonios de los pacientes sobre los beneficios del aRBCX en el manejo de las complicaciones de la SCD. El sistema de aferesis Spectra Optia™ de la empresa se utiliza para eliminar las células falciformes de la sangre de los pacientes. El estudio también destacó la necesidad de más investigaciones sobre los aspectos psicosociales del tratamiento.
테루모 혈액 및 세포 기술은 자동 적혈구 교환(aRBCX)의 효과를 입증하는 메타 분석을 완료하여 겸상 적혈구 질환(SCD) 환자의 삶의 질 개선을 보였습니다. Vox Sanguinis에 발표된 이 연구는 20년 이상의 연구를 분석했으며, aRBCX가 병원에 머무는 시간이 짧아지고, 시술 시간이 단축되며, 통증 관련 입원이 줄어든다고 밝혔습니다.
연구는 SCD 합병증 관리에서 aRBCX의 이점에 대한 환자 증언을 지원합니다. 회사의 Spectra Optia™ 혈장 분리 시스템은 환자의 혈액에서 겸상 세포를 제거하는 데 사용됩니다. 이 연구는 또한 치료의 심리사회적 측면에 대한 추가 연구의 필요성을 강조했습니다.
Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies a réalisé une méta-analyse démontrant l'efficacité de l'échange automatisé de globules rouges (aRBCX) pour améliorer la qualité de vie des patients atteints de drépanocytose (SCD). L'étude, publiée dans Vox Sanguinis, a analysé plus de deux décennies de recherche et a montré que l'aRBCX entraîne des séjours hospitaliers plus courts, des temps de procédure réduits et moins d'hospitalisations liées à la douleur.
La recherche soutient les témoignages des patients concernant les avantages de l'aRBCX dans la gestion des complications de la SCD. Le système d'aphérèse Spectra Optia™ de l'entreprise est utilisé pour retirer les cellules falciformes du sang des patients. L'étude a également souligné la nécessité de recherches complémentaires sur les aspects psychosociaux du traitement.
Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies hat eine Meta-Analyse abgeschlossen, die die Wirksamkeit des automatisierten Austausch von roten Blutkörperchen (aRBCX) bei der Verbesserung der Lebensqualität von Patienten mit Sichelzellanämie (SCD) zeigt. Die in Vox Sanguinis veröffentlichte Studie analysierte über zwei Jahrzehnte an Forschung und zeigte, dass aRBCX zu kürzeren Krankenhausaufenthalten, verkürzten Verfahrenzeiten und weniger schmerzbedingten Krankenhausaufenthalten führt.
Die Forschung unterstützt die Patientenaussagen über die Vorteile von aRBCX bei der Behandlung von SCD-Komplikationen. Das Spectra Optia™ Apheresis-System des Unternehmens wird verwendet, um sichelförmige Zellen aus dem Blut der Patienten zu entfernen. Die Studie hob ebenfalls die Notwendigkeit weiterer Forschungen zu den psychosozialen Aspekten der Behandlung hervor.
- Meta-analysis demonstrates clinical efficacy of aRBCX in improving patient outcomes
- Treatment leads to reduced hospital stays and fewer pain-related hospitalizations
- Company's Spectra Optia™ Apheresis System provides established treatment platform
- Further research needed on psychosocial aspects of treatment
- Treatment requires careful management of vascular access complications
Recent peer-reviewed study supports what patients shared with their own voices: Automated red blood cell exchange improves the lives of people struggling with sickle cell disease
"A sickle cell disease pain crisis is indescribable. It takes your breath, it takes everything," comments Bola Jibodu, a Sickle Cell Warrior from the
Especially after a major SCD drug was recently withdrawn from the market,[1] patients will be looking for other options to prevent pain and other dangerous complications from a disease that robs them of so much.
Thankfully, another therapeutic avenue already exists — automated red blood cell exchange (aRBCX), where the problematic sickled blood cells are removed and replaced with healthy donor cells. A team from Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies (Terumo BCT) recently completed a meta-analysis of retrospective data comparing the efficacy of different transfusion modalities used historically in SCD. A meta-analysis refers to a statistical method where researchers combine results from multiple studies that all used retrospective data (meaning they looked back at previously collected data) to analyze a particular research question, providing a more comprehensive picture compared to analyzing each individual study alone.
The meta-analysis completed by the Terumo BCT researchers examined over two decades of research documenting the efficacy of various SCD treatments and demonstrated that aRBCX consistently enhances the quality of life of patients with SCD.[2]
Rona Wiggins knows this firsthand. Before she started aRBCX in the
The analysis highlights aRBCX as a proven therapy for managing SCD complications, leading to shorter hospital stays, reduced procedure times and fewer pain-related hospitalizations.
"Hospital used to be my second home," says Bola. "I could be talking to you and then go straight into crisis, just that minute. You live every day not knowing what's going to happen."
Terumo BCT makes the Spectra Optia™ Apheresis System, a platform used to collect and remove sickled cells from the blood of patients with SCD. The company advocates globally for patients with physicians, governments and NGOs to improve the lives of people suffering from SCD as well as different patient populations. For example, earlier this year, a Terumo BCT-supported Delphi panel leveraged international experts to generate consensus on SCD complications and pregnancy. The result was a published consensus of recommendations for SCD complications due to pregnancy, including guidelines for whether and when to consider transfusion or aRBCX.[3]
"As gene therapies and drug treatments target permanent cures for sickle cell disease, red blood cell exchange remains a high-impact treatment to improve quality of life for Sickle Cell Warriors around the globe," said Antoinette Gawin, President and CEO of Terumo BCT. "Exchange therapies remain a mainstay to avoid disease complications, helping these warriors live their lives. We continue partnering with patient advocacy and policy groups to expand access to this common therapy."
Meta-analysis of retrospective study findings:
- aRBCX benefits: The results suggest that aRBCX, which replaces sickled cells with healthy red blood cells, may lead to shorter hospital stays, fewer pain-related hospitalizations and reduced procedure times for SCD patients. All of these together are deemed to positively influence the quality of life for patient with SCD.
- Comparable complication rates: Complications related to vascular access were found to be comparable to those of other transfusion methods but require careful management.
- Under-researched psychosocial aspects: The publication makes clear that areas such as anxiety, social functioning and emotional well-being need further study, with a greater focus on patient-reported outcomes.
Study Overview and Summary
The review, based on 20 years of data from PubMed and medical guidelines, explores factors affecting quality of life for patients with SCD, including:
- Pain frequency and severity
- Hospitalization frequency and duration
- Vascular access and procedure-related complications
- Psychosocial aspects such as anxiety and social functioning
Automated RBCX led to improvement in clinical outcomes and reduced hospital visits, and further research is needed to better understand its impact on long-term psychosocial health.
The study was published October 22 in Vox Sanguinis, the official journal of the International Society of Blood Transfusion.
"We are excited to show that aRBCX appears to be promising in improving quality of life for patients with sickle cell disease," said Koenraad Dierick, Vice President Patient Access, Terumo BCT, and first author on the study. "It is important we continue to demonstrate the value of the therapies we enable for sickle cell disease and beyond, in areas like oncology and neurology as well."
Understanding Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder affecting millions globally, primarily those of African, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and South Asian descent. It leads to the production of abnormal haemoglobin, causing red blood cells to become crescent-shaped, which blocks blood flow and results in severe pain crises, organ damage and life-threatening complications like acute chest syndrome and stroke.[4],[5],[6],[7]
About Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies
Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies (Terumo BCT) is a medical technology company. Our products, software and services enable customers to collect and prepare blood and cells to help treat challenging diseases and conditions. Our employees worldwide believe in the potential of blood and cells to do even more for patients than they do today. This belief inspires our innovation and strengthens our collaboration with customers. Terumo BCT's customers include blood centers, hospitals, therapeutic apheresis clinics, cell collection and processing organizations, researchers, and private medical practices. Our customers are based in over 150 countries across the globe. We have 750+ granted patents, with more than 150 additionally pending. We have global headquarters in
About the Spectra Optia™ Apheresis System
The Spectra Optia system is a user-friendly, versatile, industry-leading therapeutic apheresis, cell processing and cell collection platform that allows operators to spend more time focusing on patient care.
Therapeutic apheresis is used widely for a variety of applications. For example, practitioners use red blood cell exchange (RBCX) for sickle cell disease treatment; cell collections for stem cell transplantations and to collect starting material for cell therapies; and therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) to treat many diseases in both the chronic and acute setting in the neurology, nephrology and hematology spaces.
Product and protocol availability varies by country.
Spectra Optia™ is either a registered trademark or a trademark of Terumo BCT, Inc. in
[1]Pfizer voluntarily withdraws all lots of sickle cell disease treatment OXBRYTA® (voxelotor) from worldwide markets | Pfizer. Pfizer.com. Published 2024. https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-voluntarily-withdraws-all-lots-sickle-cell-disease
[2]Dierick K, Rodriguez‐Grande B, Navarro‐Aragall AG, Beraud M. Quality of life in people with sickle cell disease treated with automated red blood cell exchange. Vox Sang. Published online October 22, 2024. doi: 10.1111/vox.13757
[3]Sharma D, Kozanoğlu I, Ataga KI, et al. Managing sickle cell disease and related complications in pregnancy: results of an international Delphi panel. Blood Advances. 2024;8(4):1018-1029. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023011301
[4]Connelly-Smith L, Alquist CR, Aqui NA, Hofmann JC, Klingel R, Onwuemene OA, et al. Guidelines on the use of therapeutic apheresis in clinical practice – evidence-based approach from the writing Committee of the American Society for Apheresis: the ninth special issue. J Clin Apher. 2023;38:77-278.
[5]Sachdev V, Rosing DR, Thein SL. Cardiovascular complications of sickle cell disease. Trends Cardiovasc Med. 2021;31(3):187-193. doi: 10.1016/j.tcm.2020.02.002
[6]Farooq S, Testai FD. Neurologic complications of sickle cell disease. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2019;19(4):17. doi: 10.1007/s11910-019-0932-0
[7]Kato GJ, Steinberg MH, Gladwin MT. Intravascular hemolysis and the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease. J Clin Invest. 2017;127(3):750-760. doi: 10.1172/JCI89741
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SOURCE Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies
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