Probability of Finding an HLA-Matched Donor in Immediate and Extended Families: The Jordanian Experience

Abstract

Information regarding the probability of finding HLA-matched related donor for a patient awaiting hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in developing countries is scanty. We performed a retrospective review of HLA genotypes and related data for 1254 consecutive patients and their families at King Hussein Cancer Center in Amman, Jordan, between 2003 and 2011 to evaluate the chance of finding HLA-matched donor. The median family size was 5 for all patients in the study (range, 1-14), and the average number of donors was 1.4 ± 0.9 for pediatric patients and 1.6 ± 0.9 for adults. Overall, the probability of finding an HLA-matched related donor at our center was 65.5% (60.6% in pediatric patients and 74% in adults). Of the total identified donors, 18% were nonsibling donors after an immediate and/or extended family search in the pediatric group, and 6% were nonsibling donors in the adult group. Overall, 13% of donors were nonsibling donors. We conclude that the probability of finding a matched related donor for HSCT in Jordan is much higher than that reported in Western countries and Asia (65% versus 25%). We expect a similar trend in other developing and Arab countries. We recommend integrating an extended family search before or concomitantly with an unrelated donor search.

HLA Genotypes in Turkish Hematopoietic Cell Recipients and Likelihood of Finding a Matched Donor Through Family Searches

“…[3][4][5][6][7] Our main finding was that the likelihood of finding an MRD in Turkey is significantly higher for children than for adults (52% vs 41%). This difference could be explained by the fact that 21% of the pediatric patient donors were nonsiblings who were identified via EFDS.…”

“…Similar results for pediatric patient MRDs identified via EFDS were reported in previous studies from Turkey (23%) and Jordan (18%). 3,4 The frequency of findings MRDs via EFDS varies among populations. [3][4][5][6][7] According to the report in Israel, this was achieved for 80% of patients with Arabic origin and for 40% of Jewish patients in an Israeli donor search program.…”

“…3,4 The frequency of findings MRDs via EFDS varies among populations. [3][4][5][6][7] According to the report in Israel, this was achieved for 80% of patients with Arabic origin and for 40% of Jewish patients in an Israeli donor search program. 5 High proportions of HLA-identical donors found by all search types (ie, range, 60% to 80%) have been reported for Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Pakistan, 4,15,16 and the overall rate that we observed in our pediatric group (52%) was comparable.…”

“…For example, the chance of finding a family donor is high for patients of Turkish and Arabic origin, whereas it is rare in western countries. [3][4][5][6][7] Limited data are available on the frequencies of HLA class I and class II antigens and haplotype profiles in small populations within Turkey. [8][9][10][11][12][13] Our aim was to assess the frequency of HLA-matched family donors in the Turkish population and to identify the HLA antigens and haplotypes that are most frequent in Turkey.…”

Hematopoietic SCT in Iranian children 1991–2012

“…34 Iran has been experiencing slower population growth and smaller household sizes since 20 years ago. 35 HORCSCT is committed to expand unrelated donors pool, and so far public participation has been encouraging.…”