Race and ethnicity in decisions about unrelated hematopoietic stem cell donation

Racial differences in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation outcomes among African Americans and whites

“…These differences indicate a lack of HLA-matched donors for African Americans, as has been previously reported. [39][40][41] According to data reported by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), the likelihood of finding an HLA-A, -B, -C and -DRB1 high-resolution matched unrelated donor is 75% for whites, but only 19% for African Americans. 42 This difference is attributed not only to a smaller donor pool but also to a greater degree of HLA polymorphisms with large numbers of HLA haplotypes specific to blacks, as well as a higher donor attrition rate from the NMDP registry.…”

“…Recent studies trying to identify barriers to blood and marrow donation among ethnic groups have demonstrated lack of awareness, distrust of the medical system, ambivalence and lack of understanding regarding cost and discomfort among some of the major barriers to donation. 40,41 Further recruitment and education strategies are thus needed to overcome some of these barriers to donation.…”

An autologous leukemia cell vaccine prevents murine acute leukemia relapse after cytarabine treatment

“…[1][2][3][4][5] Allo-SCT has high morbidity and mortality, is costly, and is often precluded by age, comorbidities, or lack of a suitable donor. [6][7][8] There is an unmet need for effective postremission therapies that do not carry the toxicities and cost of allo-SCT. 9 Relapse of acute leukemia is mediated by a population of blasts that fall below the threshold used to define morphologic remission but may be detected by using sensitive flow cytometric or molecular assays.…”

Factors Influencing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Donation

“…Few studies investigated how or whether or if factors such as age, ethnicity, gender, knowledge, demographics, cultural influences or attitudes, and fears can affect the decision to donate [7,[17][18][19].…”

“…A cross-sectional study examined the association of ethnicity and race on the decision to donate after finding a match [19]. They interviewed 1158 potential donors who had either agreed or refused to donate after being found to be a potential match between 2007 and 2010.…”