In the world's first clinical trial of its kind, red blood cells grown in a laboratory have been transfused into volunteers in order to see if they can be used in new ways.
Stem cells from donors can be used to grow blood cells that can be used in larger volumes. The lab grown cells are being studied to see how long they last compared to standard red blood cells from the same donor.
The trial is a huge step in the process of manufacturing blood from stem cells. The first time lab grown blood from donor stem cells has been transfused, we are excited to see how well the cells perform at the end of the trial.
Two healthy volunteers have already been transfused with lab grown red cells as part of the Restore trial. There have been no negative side effects reported.
There are advantages to using lab grown blood. There is a donor shortage for patients with rare blood types who need regular transfusions.
The lab-grown blood is expected to perform better than standard donor blood. Red blood cells have a lifespan of about 120 days and a normal blood donation contains cells of different ages. The fresh blood cells grown in a lab should last longer. It could reduce the number of transfusions for patients who need them frequently and help avoid iron overload, a problem that can be caused by too much iron in the body.
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The chief investigator at the University of Cambridge said they hope lab grown red blood cells will last longer than those from donors. Patients who currently need long-term blood transfusions will need fewer in the future if the trial is a success.
Some people with blood disorders need up to 12 units of blood every four to six weeks, and others need more. There is a shortage of donors from black and minority ethnic communities who can provide the best blood for patients with blood disorders, some of which are more prevalent in these groups.
Stem cells from a donor's blood are used to make lab grown blood. The stem cells are placed in a solution that will encourage them to grow into more mature cells. Red blood cells can be produced from about 24 litres of solution.
The cells are labelled with a marker that can be used to detect them in blood samples six months after they have been injected.
At least 10 participants are expected to receive two mini transfusions at least four months apart, one of standard donated red cells and one of lab grown red cells, to see if the young red blood cells made in the laboratory last longer than cells made in the body.
Prof Turner is the director of the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, who is not involved in the trial. He added that blood donors would remain essential for the foreseeable future.
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