Intravenous delivery of the plasma fraction of stored packed erythrocytes promotes pancreatic cancer growth in immunocompetent mice

Responses of human colon and breast adenocarcinoma cell lines (LoVo, MCF7) and non-tumorigenic mammary epithelial cells (MCF-10A) to the acellular fraction of packed red blood cells in the presence and absence of cisplatin

Perioperative blood transfusion in colorectal and some other cancer patients has been linked to the increased risk for recurrence, but a causal mechanism remains unclear. During the preparation and storage of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) bio-active substances accumulate in the acellular fraction (supernatant). Viability, proliferation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and DNA damage of colon (LoVo) and breast (MCF7) adenocarcinoma cells and non-tumorigenic MCF-10A cell line were determined in response to the supernatants of fresh and long-stored (day 42) PRBCs, leukoreduced (LR) or non-leukoreduced (NLR). The effect of supernatants on the cytotoxicity of cisplatin (cisPt) towards the cells was also examined. Supernatants, especially from a day 1 PRBCs, both LR and NLR, reduced the viability and inhibited proliferation of tumor cells (LoVo, MCF7), accompanying by the excessive ROS production, but these were not the case in MCF-10A. Moreover, supernatants had no effect on the cytotoxicity of cisPt against LoVo and MCF7 cells, while caused increased drug resistance in MCF-10A cells. The findings suggest the acellular fraction of PRBCs does not exhibit any pro-proliferative activity in the cancer cell lines studied. However, these are pioneering issues and require further research.

Impact of Packed Red Blood Cells and Fresh Frozen Plasma Given During Radical Cystectomy and Urinary Diversion on Cancer-related Outcome and Survival: An Observational Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

The relationship between blood transfusion and cancer-related outcome and mortality is controversial.

OBJECTIVE

To assess if perioperative administration of packed red blood cell (PRBC) and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) units affects disease progression and survival after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

We conducted an observational single-centre cohort study of a consecutive series of 885 bladder cancer patients, between 2000 and 2015. Perioperative blood transfusion was defined as need for PRBCs and FFP transfusion within the first 24h after the beginning of surgery.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Disease recurrence-free, cancer-specific, and overall survival were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier technique and log-rank test.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

A total of 267/885 patients (23%) were transfused; 187/267 patients (70%) received only PRBCs (median 2 units [interquartile range: 1-2]) and 80/267 patients (30%) received PRBCs (2 [2-3]) plus FFP (2 [2-2]). Receipt of PRBCs or PRBCs+FFP was associated with a higher 90 d mortality (7.0% vs 7.5% vs 2.9%; p=0.016), inferior 5 yr recurrence-free survival (no transfusion 92%, PRBCs 74%, p=0.005; PRBCs+FFP 49%, p=0.002), 5 yr cancer-specific survival (no transfusion 74%, PRBCs 60%, PRBCs+FFP 49%, all p<0.001), and 5 yr overall survival (no transfusion 90%, PRBCs 70%, PRBCs+FFP 34%, all p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, blood transfusion was predictive for all-cause mortality (PRBCs [hazard ratio; HR 1.610; p<0.001] and PRBCs+FFP [HR 1.640; p=0.003]) and cancer-specific mortality (PRBCs [HR 1.467; p=0.010] and PRBCs+FFP [HR 1.901; p=0.021]). Limitations include selection bias and lack of standardised transfusion criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

Administration of PRBCs and FFP was associated with significantly inferior cancer-specific and overall survival. Relevant preoperative factors for receiving blood transfusion were neoadjuvant chemotherapy, preoperative anaemia, older age, and American Society of Anesthesiologists score ≥3, and these factors emphasise the importance of preoperative optimisation of patients undergoing cystectomy.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Blood transfusion during radical cystectomy was associated with inferior survival.

Red blood cell transfusion in surgical cancer patients: Targets, risks, mechanistic understanding and further therapeutic opportunities

Anemia is present in more than half of cancer patients and appears to be an independent prognostic factor of short- and long-term adverse outcomes. It increases in the advanced period of cancer and perioperatively, in patients with solid tumors who undergo surgery. As a result, allogeneic red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is an indispensable treatment in cancer. However, its safety remains controversial, based on several laboratory and clinical data reporting a linkage with increased risk for cancer recurrence, infection and cancer-related mortality. Immunological, inflammatory and thrombotic reactions mediated by the residual leukocytes and platelets, the stored RBCs per se, the biological response modifiers and the plasticizer of the unit may underlie infection and tumor-promoting effects. Although the causality between transfusion and infection has been established, the effects of transfusion on cancer recurrence remain confusing; this is mainly due to the extreme biological heterogeneity that characterizes RBC donations and cancer context. In fact, the functional interplay between donation-associated factors and recipient characteristics, including tumor biology per se, inflammation, infection, coagulation and immune activation state and competence may synergistically and individually define the clinical impact of each transfusion in any given cancer patient. Our understanding of how the potential risk is mediated is important to make RBC transfusion safer and to pave the way for novel, promising and highly personalized strategies for the treatment of anemia in surgical cancer patients.

Adverse oncologic effects of intraoperative transfusion during pancreatectomy for left-sided pancreatic cancer: the need for strict transfusion policy

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic impact of transfusion following distal pancreatectomy (DP) for left-sided pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

METHODS

Retrospective analysis was performed to identify prognostic factors in patients who underwent DP from July 1992 to October 2012.

RESULTS

Forty-eight patients were male, and 35 were female with a mean age of 62 ± 9 years. Twenty-three (27.7%) of the patients received intraoperative blood transfusion. In univariate analysis, combined organ resection (P = 0.046), intraoperative transfusion (P < 0.001), pathologic tumor size (≥3 cm, P = 0.051), clinical tumor size (≥3 cm, P = 0.008), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.021), lymph node ratio (LNR ≥ 0.017, P < 0.001), and tumor differentiation (P = 0.013) were analyzed to predict tumor recurrence. Multivariate analysis showed that lymph node metastasis (Exp(β) = 2.136, P = 0.016), LNR (Exp(β) = 2.003, P = 0.049), and intraoperative transfusion (Exp(β) = 2.793, P = 0.001) were independent prognostic factor predicting tumor recurrence. The amount of estimated blood loss was closely associated with intraoperative transfusion (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative transfusion should be avoided by gentle operative handling to minimize intraoperative bleeding, and the appropriate transfusion policy should be followed to increase the survival outcome.

Defining Transfusion Triggers and Utilization of Fresh Frozen Plasma and Platelets Among Patients Undergoing Hepatopancreaticobiliary and Colorectal Surgery

BACKGROUND

We sought to define the overall utilization of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and platelets and the impact on perioperative outcomes among patients undergoing hepatopancreaticobiliary and colorectal resections, as well as analyze the utility of laboratory triggers in guiding transfusion practice.

METHODS

We identified 3027 patients undergoing pancreatic, hepatic, and colorectal resections between 2010 and 2013 at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Data on international normalized ratio (INR) and platelet counts that triggered the perioperative utilization of these non-RBC (red blood cell) products were obtained and analyzed.

RESULTS

Overall FFP and platelet transfusion rates were 8.9% and 3.8%, respectively. Mean INR and platelet triggers for FFP and platelet transfusions were 1.9 ± 1.3 and 60000 ± 44000, respectively. INR triggers varied depending on resection type, patient race, and comorbidity status (all P <0.05). Nearly one-half of patients (48.0%) received FFP in the postoperative period with an INR trigger less than 1.7. FFP transfusions were independently associated with an increased length of stay [odds ratio (OR) = 3.66], perioperative morbidity (OR = 3.96) and in-hospital mortality (OR = 91.85) (all P < 0.001). Similarly, patients receiving platelets were at increased risk for worse overall perioperative outcomes (all OR >1, P <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The utilization and indication of non-RBC components vary significantly across surgical specialties. Nearly one-half of patients transfused with FFP during the postoperative period had an INR of less than 1.7, indicating possible overutilization of these products. Furthermore, the use of FFP and platelets are associated with poorer perioperative outcomes. Further studies are needed to study the impact and management of a more restrictive use of FFP and platelets on surgical patients.

Impacts of leukocyte filtration and irradiation on coagulation factors in fresh frozen plasma

This study aimed to compare and analyze the changes in the coagulation factors in fresh frozen plasma (FFP) prior to and following leukocyte filtration and irradiation. In total, 30 bags of FFP from healthy donors were processed: One-third of the FFP of each bag was left within the original bag (the A group), the other two-thirds of the FFP of each bag were passed through a disposable leukocyte filter, then divided equally into two parts. One of these was designated as the B group, and the other was designated the C group (subjected to 30 Gy irradiation). All samples were analyzed to evaluate 16 coagulation indicators. Analysis of variance revealed that there were statistically significant differences in the levels of fibrinogen (FbgC) and coagulation factor VIII (FVIII:C) among the groups (P=0.044 and P=0.015, respectively); the Dunnett’s t-test revealed that there was a statistically significant difference in the level of FbgC between the A and B groups (P=0.025), and there was a statistically significant difference in the level of FVIII:C between the A and C groups (P=0.009); while the remaining 14 coagulation parameters were not significantly different among the groups. Although the levels of FbgC and FVIII:C in the FFP were reduced following treatment, this would not affect the clinical effect of the FFP.

Impact of allogenic and autologous transfusion on immune function in patients with tumors

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effects of allogeneic and autologous transfusion on cellular immunity, humoral immunity and secretion of serum inflammatory factors and perforin during the perioperative period in patients with malignant tumors.

METHODS

A total of 80 patients (age: 38-69 years; body weight: 40-78 kg; ASA I - II) receiving radical operation for gastro-intestinal cancer under general anesthesia were selected. All the patients were divided into four groups based on the methods of infusion and blood transfusion: blank control group (Group C), allogeneic transfusion group (group A), hemodiluted autotransfusion Group (Group H) and hemodiluted autotransfusion + allogenic transfusion Group (A+H group). Venous blood was collected when entering into the surgery room (T0), immediately after surgery (T1) and 24h (T2), 3d (T3) and 7d (T4) after surgery, respectively. Moreover, flow cytometry was applied to assess changes of peripheral blood T cell subpopulations and NK cells. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays were performed to determine levels of IL-2, IL-10, TNF-α and perforin. Immune turbidimetry was employed to determine the changes in serum immunoglobulin.

RESULTS

Both CD3+ and NK cells showed a decrease at T1 and T2 in each group, among which, in group A, CD3+ decreased significantly at T2 (P<0.05) compared with other groups, and CD3+ and NK cell reduced obviously only in group A at T3 and T4 (P<0.05). CD4+ cells and the ratio of D4+/CD8+ were decreased in groups A, C and A+H at T1 and T2 (P<0.05). No significant intra- and inter-group differences were observed in CD8+ of the four groups (P<0.05). IL-2 declined in group C at T1 and T2 (P<0.05) and showed a decrease in group A at each time point (P<0.05). Moreover, IL-2 decreased in group A + H only at T1. No significant difference was found in each group at T1 (P<0.05). More significant decrease in group C at T2, T3 and T4 compared with group A (P<0.05), and there were no significant differences among other groups (P>0.05). IL-10 increased at T1 and T2 in each group (P<0.05), in which it had an obvious increase in group A, and increase of IL-10 occurred only in group A at T3 and T4 (P<0.05). TNF-α level rose at T1 (P<0.05), no inter- and intra-group difference was found in perforin in all groups (P<0.05). Compared with the preoperation, both IgG and IgA level decreased at T1 in each group (P<0.05), and they declined only in Group A at T2 and T3 (P<0.05), and these parameters were back to the preoperative levels in other groups. No significant differences were observed between preoperative and postoperative IgG and IgA levels in each group at T4 (P>0.05). No obvious inter- and intra-group changes were found in IgM in the four groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Allogeneic transfusion during the perioperative period could obviously decrease the number of T cell subpopulations and NK cells and the secretion of stimulating cytokines and increase the secretion of inhibiting cytokines in patients with malignant tumors, thus causing a Th1/Th2 imbalance and transient decreasing in the content of plasma immune globulin. Autologous transfusion has little impact and may even bring about some improvement of postoperative immune function in patients with tumors. Therefore, cancer patients should receive active autologous transfusion during the perioperative period in place of allogeneic transfusion.

Inflammatory response, immunosuppression, and cancer recurrence after perioperative blood transfusions

Debate on appropriate triggers for transfusion of allogeneic blood products and their effects on short- and long-term survival in surgical and critically ill patients continue with no definitive evidence or decisive resolution. Although transfusion-related immune modulation (TRIM) is well established, its influence on immune competence in the recipient and its effects on cancer recurrence after a curative resection remains controversial. An association between perioperative transfusion of allogeneic blood products and risk for recurrence has been shown in colorectal cancer in randomized trials; whether the same is true for other types of cancer remains to be determined. This article focuses on the laboratory, animal, and clinical evidence to date on the mechanistic understanding of inflammatory and immune-modulatory effects of blood products and their significance for recurrence in the cancer surgical patient.

Hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier mitigates transfusion-mediated pancreas cancer progression

BACKGROUND

Perioperative blood transfusion in pancreatic cancer patients is linked to decreased survival; however, a causal mechanism has not been determined. Previously we have shown that the plasma fraction of stored packed red blood cells (pRBCs) promotes pancreas cancer progression and associated morbidity. We hypothesize these untoward effects will be mitigated by use of a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC).

METHODS

Cytokines and growth factors were measured in the plasma fraction from stored pRBCs and in an HBOC via cytokine array followed by formal enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In an immunocompetent murine model, pancreas cancer progression was determined in vivo by bioluminescence, tumor weight, and number of metastases.

RESULTS

Elevated levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB), and regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) were present in the plasma fraction of stored pRBCs, but were not found in the HBOC. Intravenous delivery of plasma fraction to mice with pancreatic cancer resulted in increased bioluminescence activity compared with mice that received HBOC. Metastatic events and pancreatic primary tumor weights were significantly higher in animals receiving plasma fraction from stored pRBCs compared with animals receiving HBOC.

CONCLUSIONS

Intravenous receipt of the acellular plasma fraction of stored pRBCs promotes pancreatic cancer progression in an immunocompetent mouse model. These untoward events are mitigated by use of an HBOC.

The age of transfused blood predicts hematocrit response among critically ill surgical patients

BACKGROUND

In vitro data suggest that erythrocytes undergo storage time-dependent degradation, eventuating in hemolysis. We hypothesize that transfusion of old blood, as compared with newer blood, results in a smaller increment in hematocrit.

METHODS

We performed an analysis of packed red blood cell transfusions administered in the surgical intensive care unit. Age of blood was analyzed as continuous, dichotomized at 14 days (old vs new), and grouped by weeks old.

RESULTS

A total of 136 U of packed red blood cells were given to 52 patients; 110 (80.9%) were 14 days old or more. A linear, inverse correlation was observed between the age of blood and the increment in hematocrit (r(2) = -.18, P = .04). The increment in hematocrit was greater after transfusion of new as compared with old blood (5.6% vs 3.5%, respectively; P = .005). A linear relationship also was observed between the age of transfused blood in weeks and the increment in hematocrit (P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

There is an inverse relationship between the age of blood and the increment in hematocrit. The age of blood should be considered before transfusion of surgical patients with intensive care unit anemia.

Activation state of stromal inflammatory cells in murine metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma

The histologic presence of macrophages (tumor-associated macrophages, TAMs) and neutrophils (tumor-associated neutrophils, TANs) has been linked to poor clinical outcomes for solid tumors. The exact mechanism for this association with worsened prognosis is unclear. It has been theorized that TAMs are immunomodulated to an alternatively activated state and promote tumor progression. Similarly, TANs have been shown to promote angiogenesis and tumor detachment. TAMs and TANs were characterized for activation state and production of prometastatic mediators in an immunocompetent murine model of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Specimens from liver metastases were evaluated by immunofluorescence and immunoblotting. TAMS have upregulated expression of CD206 and CD163 markers of alternative activation, (4.14 ± 0.55-fold and 7.36 ± 1.13-fold over control, respectively, P < 0.001) but do not have increased expression of classically activated macrophage markers CCR2 and CCR5. TAMs also express oncostatin M (OSM). We found that TANs, not TAMs, predominantly produce matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in this metastatic tumor microenvironment, while MMP-2 production is pan-tumoral. Moreover, increased expression of VEGF colocalized with TAMs as opposed to TANs. TAMs and TANs may act as distinct effector cells, with TAMs phenotypically exhibiting alternative activation and releasing OSM and VEGF. TANs are localized at the invasive front of the metastasis, where they colocalize with MMP-9. Improved understanding of these interactions may lead to targeted therapies for pancreas adenocarcinoma.

Accumulation of pro-cancer cytokines in the plasma fraction of stored packed red cells

INTRODUCTION

Perioperative blood transfusion has been linked to decreased survival in pancreatic cancer; however, the exact causal mechanism has not been elucidated. Allogeneic transfusions are known to expose patients to foreign cells and lipid mediators. We hypothesize that stored packed red cells (pRBCs) contain pro-cancer cytokines that augment tumor progression. We analyzed the plasma fraction of stored pRBCs for pro-cancer cytokines and evaluated the affect of both storage time and leukocyte reduction on these mediators.

METHODS

Chemiarray™ analysis for pro-cancer cytokines was performed on the acellular plasma fraction of stored leukocyte-reduced (LR) and non-leukocyte-reduced (NLR) pRBCs at day 1 (D.1-fresh) and day 42 (D.42-outdate) of storage. Elevated expression of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), angiogenin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) was found. Specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed for each of these factors in LR and NLR blood at D.1, day 28, and D.42. Data were analyzed by ANOVA. A p value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant; N ≥ 4 per group. Migration assays were performed using inhibitors of EGF (gefitinib) and PDGF (imatinib) on murine pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells (Pan02) exposed to D.1 and D.42 LR and NLR plasma. Proliferation assays were performed on Pan02 cells to test the inhibition of PDGF.

RESULTS

MCP-1 levels increased with storage time in LR blood, 86.3 ± 6.3 pg/ml at D.1 vs. 121.2 ± 6.1 pg/ml at D.42 (p = 0.007), and NLR blood, 78.2 ± 7.3 pg/ml at D.1 vs. 647.8 ± 220.7 pg/ml at D.42 (p = 0.02). RANTES levels are lower in LR compared to NLR stored blood, 3.0 ± 1.9 vs. 15.8 ± 0.7 pg/ml at D.42 (p < 0.001), but similar in D.1 blood, 13.8 ± 1.8 pg/ml in LR vs. 12.0 ± 1.6 pg/ml in NLR. Angiogenin levels were different between LR and NLR blood, 0 pg/ml (undetectable) vs. 44.2 ± 3.7 pg/ml (p < 0.001). Storage time did not affect concentration. TNF-α levels were not different between LR and NLR blood, and there was no storage time effect on concentration. EGF and PDGF levels increased with storage time in NLR blood only, 216.4 ± 3.8 pg/ml at D.1 vs. 1,436.4 ± 238.6 pg/ml at D.42 for EGF (p = 0.001), and 61.6 ± 6.0 pg/ml at D.1 vs. 76.5 ± 1.7 pg/ml at D.42 (p = 0.003) for PDGF. Inhibition of EGF reduced migration in Pan02 cells treated with D.42 NLR blood, 245.9 ± 11.2 vs. 164.6 ± 10.6 cells/hpf (p < 0.001). Inhibition of PDGF had no effect on Pan02 migration and reduced cell proliferation in cells treated with D.42 NLR, 181.1 ± 1.5% over control vs. 157.5 ± 2.1% (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Pro-cancer cytokines that can augment tumor progression were identified in pRBCs. Some of these factors are present in fresh blood. The soluble factors identified herein may represent possible therapeutic targets to offset negative effects of transfusion. These data stress the need for efforts in cancer patients to reduce transfusion requirements if needed.

Gender-specific transfusion affects tumor-associated neutrophil: macrophage ratios in murine pancreatic adenocarcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Perioperative blood transfusion has been linked to decreased survival for pancreas cancer. Noting clinical data associating female blood products with increased morbidity, our lab has demonstrated that transfusion of female blood augments metastatic events compared to male blood in an immunocompetent murine pancreatic cancer model. It has been suggested that tumor-associated macrophages correlate with tumor progression by promoting angiogenesis. More recently, tumor-associated neutrophils have been implicated in aggressive tumor behavior. We hypothesize that differences in gender-specific transfusion-mediated pancreatic cancer progression are due to microenvironmental changes within the tumor. To test this hypothesis, we examined tumor-associated neutrophils and macrophage ratios in male and female mice with pancreatic cancer receiving blood transfusion from male or female donors.

METHODS

C57/BL6 mice, age 7-9 weeks, underwent splenic inoculation with 2.5 × 10(5) PanO2 murine pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells. Mice were transfused on post-op day 7 with 1 ml/kg supernatant from day 42 male or female packed red cells. Necropsy was performed at 5 weeks or earlier for clinical deterioration, and tumors harvested. Frozen sections (5 µm) were stained for neutrophils and macrophages by immunofluorescence. Data were analyzed using ANOVA; p ≤ 0.05 was used to determine significance; N ≥ 3 per group.

RESULTS

Clinically, male mice had greater morbidity and mortality than female mice when receiving female blood products, with roughened hair coat, development of ascites and death due to bowel obstruction. In evaluating the tumor microenvironment from mice receiving female blood products, male mice were noted to have a greater neutrophil to macrophage ratio than female mice, 0.176 ± 0.028 vs. 0.073 ± 0.012, p = 0.03. When examining neutrophil to macrophage ratio in mice receiving male blood products, no difference was noted (p = 0.48).

CONCLUSIONS

Male mice with pancreas cancer have greater morbidity than female mice when receiving female blood products. Furthermore, the difference in neutrophil to macrophage ratio suggests that gender-specific blood transfusion promotes aggressive tumor behavior in male mice via microenvironmental changes. These data warrant further study to delineate sex-related differences in pancreatic cancer progression.

Perioperative blood transfusions promote pancreas cancer progression

Complex abdominal procedures to extirpate malignancies are often associated with blood transfusion. In particular, perioperative transfusion rates for pancreaticoduodenectomy can be as high as 75%. In the early 1970s it was shown that blood transfusions likely had immunomodulating effects as renal allografts were found to have longer survival in patients who received multiple transfusions. Subsequently, it has been suggested that blood transfusions may promote cancer progression. Many retrospective series have supported this hypothesis, and recent studies examining long-term survival in patients undergoing "Whipple" procedures suggests that transfusion is a negative prognostic factor. Despite these studies, the claim that transfusion is a simple surrogate for patient health, tumor size, location, and biology are difficult to refute. The use of syngeneic murine models has allowed many confounding variables to be controlled, and suggest that transfusion does indeed promote pancreas cancer progression. Based on these findings, as well as the continued need for blood transfusion, alternate strategies in transfusion management are warranted.

The plasma fraction of stored erythrocytes augments pancreatic cancer metastasis in male versus female mice

BACKGROUND

Males with pancreatic cancer have decreased survival compared with females. Interestingly, perioperative blood transfusions have been shown to reduce survival in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Recent evidence incriminates blood transfusions from female donors as a causative factor in acute lung injury. We therefore hypothesize that male mice with pancreatic cancer will have greater tumor progression than female mice in response to transfusion.

METHODS

Mice previously inoculated with pancreatic cancer cells received an intravenous injection of acellular plasma collected from single donor erythrocytes from either male or female donors. Control mice received an equal volume of intravenous saline. Necropsy to determine metastasis was performed in female mice at 4 wk status post-transfusion. The male group necessitated sacrifice at 3 wk post-transfusion due to clinical deterioration.

RESULTS

Male mice developed more metastatic events than female mice, and this was accentuated when receiving blood from female donors. Male mice experienced weight loss within 2 wk of tail vein injection, and three mice in the male transfused groups died secondary to malignancy. Female mice did not manifest substantial weight loss, and did not die in the study time period.

CONCLUSION

Male mice, compared with female, had significantly more metastatic events following transfusion of plasma from stored erythrocytes in an immunocompetent murine model of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Moreover, the adverse effect of transfusion was augmented with female donor blood. These data are consistent with clinical outcomes from centers of excellence in treating pancreatic cancer and warrant further investigation.