HLA Tests for Unrelated Donors and Cord Blood Units
During a formal search, different human leukocyte antigen (HLA) tests may be needed for potential donors and cord blood units. Specific HLA tests vary according to cell source and the HLA challenges of the patient.
Potential donor
A formal search for a donor requires:
- HLA tissue typing at A, B and DRB1 to find a close match. DR testing (or DR stage) will be needed for approximately 20% of donors. (Many donors on the Registry of the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) already have their HLA tissue typed at A, B and DRB1.)
- Confirmatory testing to verify the HLA identity of the donor. This requires a fresh blood sample.
- Infectious disease marker (IDM) testing to identify diseases that could be transmitted through blood. (This test is usually performed at the same time as confirmatory testing.)
A formal search for a donor may also include:
- Customized typing (high resolution (HR) stage or HR typing) identifies a specific antigen or allele. This testing may be needed to fulfill transplant center protocol or to identify a close match when a patient has a less common HLA tissue type. Options include: HLA-A, B, C, DRB1, DQB1 and DPB1. (This is an NMDP service that may be requested by a transplant center.)
Cord blood unit
When cord blood is collected, it is automatically:
- HLA tissue typed at A, B, and DRB1
- Tested for infectious diseases
Therefore, a formal search for a cord blood unit will require:
- Confirmatory testing to verify the HLA identity of the cord blood unit
When a cord blood unit is selected as the best match for a patient, it will also receive HLA confirmatory testing at high resolution.
A formal search for a cord blood unit may also include:
- Additional testing to fulfill transplant center protocols or to identify a close match when a patient has a less common HLA tissue type. If additional testing is needed, it is performed at the same time as confirmatory testing.
More information:
HLA tissue typing
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