Tests relating to stem cell transplantation
Histocompatibility is the single most important criteria when selecting a stem cell donor for a patient. That is why the HLA 1 test package is performed on most patients with haematological malignancies already when they are first diagnosed. It is recommended that the complementary HLA 2 test package is performed as soon as possible after it has been decided that the patient may be eligible for stem cell transplantation.
The optimal stem cell donor candidate is a related donor meeting the general eligibility criteria, usually an HLA-identical sibling of the patient. It is also possible to use a haploidentical related donor. Since compatible related donors can be found only for some of the patients, domestic and international donor registers are used for searching a compatible donor for most of the patients in need of stem cell transplantation.
In Finland, all histocompatibility testing related to stem cell transplantation has been centralised at the Blood Service. Therefore, the assessment of histocompatibility of several donor candidates can be made using the same criteria. This enables the mutual comparison of donor candidates and speeds up the selection process of the best match available for stem cell donation.
Our team of experts assist in the interpretation of the results of histocompatibility testing and any problems related to the search process of donor candidates.