Despite disappointing recent studies, Ron Strauss thinks granulocyte concentrates still have an important role in Transfusion Medicine
NOTE: Continuing Education credit for this episode has expired. See below for details.
Dr. Ron Strauss
OK, so why do a podcast on granulocytes?
Despite this, my guest on this episode of Blood Bank Guy Essentials, Dr. Ron Strauss, an international expert in neutrophil function and granulocyte transfusion, believes there’s more to the story! In this interview, Dr. Strauss shows us the biggest problems with the previous studies (hint: It’s mostly a quantity problem!), and how much better the data from the most recent study looks if you consider patients who got the intended dose of granulocytes. Ron fills us in on how “modern” granulocyte transfusions can still play an important role in caring for often desperately ill neutropenic patients with infections that are not responding to antibiotic treatment.
Dr. Ron Strauss
OK, so why do a podcast on granulocytes?
Despite this, my guest on this episode of Blood Bank Guy Essentials, Dr. Ron Strauss, an international expert in neutrophil function and granulocyte transfusion, believes there’s more to the story! In this interview, Dr. Strauss shows us the biggest problems with the previous studies (hint: It’s mostly a quantity problem!), and how much better the data from the most recent study looks if you consider patients who got the intended dose of granulocytes. Ron fills us in on how “modern” granulocyte transfusions can still play an important role in caring for often desperately ill neutropenic patients with infections that are not responding to antibiotic treatment.
About My Guest:
Dr. Ron Strauss is a legendary figure in Transfusion Medicine. He is a pediatrician who is also board-certified in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology as well as Blood Banking/Transfusion Medicine. He is a professor emeritus in Pediatrics and Pathology at the University of Iowa, where he spent over 30 years publishing ground-breaking studies in both disciplines. Dr. Strauss recently retired from his most recent position at LifeSource (now Vitalant Illinois) in Chicago.
Over the years, Ron has published over 300 peer-reviewed papers and 120 book chapters, and has edited 11 books on various topics in Transfusion Medicine. He has received numerous awards, including the prestigious Emily Cooley Award from AABB, given to honor demonstrated teaching ability and major contributions to the field of Transfusion Medicine or cellular therapies.
Continuing Education Expired
This podcast episode offered continuing education credit for two years from its release date, but is no longer eligible for such credit.
To find Blood Bank Guy Essentials Podcast episodes with active continuing education opportunities, Click here or visit Transfusion News Continuing Education on Wiley Health Learning.
DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed on this episode are those of my guest and I alone, and do not reflect those of the organizations with which either of us is affiliated. Neither Dr. Strauss nor I have any relevant financial disclosures.
The images below are generously provided by Dr. Ron Strauss.
Further Reading:
- 2008 randomized study on granulocyte transfusion: Seidel MG et al. Randomized phase III study of granulocyte transfusions in neutropenic patients. Bone Marrow Transplant 2008;42:679-86.
- RING Study discussed in this interview: Price TH et al. Efficacy of transfusion with granulocytes from G-CSF/dexamethasone-treated donors in neutropenic patients with infection. Blood 2015;126:2153-2161.
- Dr Strauss’ 2012 summary article of history and utility of granulocyte transfusion: Strauss RG. Role of granulocyte/neutrophil transfusions for hematology/oncology patients in the modern era. Br J Haematol 2012;158:299-306.
- Article in January 2019 “Transfusion” outlining recent use in neutropenic patients: Netelenbos T et al. The burden of invasive infections in neutropenic patients: incidence, outcomes, and use of granulocyte transfusions. Transfusion 2019;59:160-68.
- Dr. Strauss’ editorial commenting on the above article: Strauss RG. Therapeutic granulocyte transfusions: neutropenic patients with acute leukemia continue to need them — why are definitive evidence-based practice guidelines elusive? Transfusion 2019;59;6–8.
Music Credit
Music for this episode includes “Cuando te invade el temor” and “Reflejo,” both by Mar Virtual via the Free Music Archive. Click the image below for permissions and license details.
Great discussion! One thing that I did not hear mentioned in the episode is the fact that granulocytes are given more frequently to children than to adults. Could you comment on that? Are they more effective in treating infection in children?
Dr. Strauss alluded to this a bit in the discussion when he said that studies have shown that granulocytes appear to be effective in children with a dose of at least 1.0 x 109 granulocytes/Kg body weight. In the end, it’s all about dosage. Good dose means a good chance to have an effect (though no one can fully prove that!).
-Joe