The Operating Theatre Journal - Journal - Page 31
Groundbreaking clinical trial Portakabin scoops up £80m-turnover
healthcare specialist
gives lab-grown red blood cells
to people for the first time
A world-first clinical trial funded and supported by NIHR has started
giving lab-grown red blood cells to people. If proved safe and effective,
the technology could revolutionise treatments for people with rare
blood types, blood disorders such as sickle cell, or people who aren’t
able to have normal blood transfusions.
The RESTORE clinical trial (REcovery and survival of STem cell
Originated REd cells) was initiated by the NIHR Blood and Transplant
Research Unit in Red Blood Cell Products. Stem cells in the blood, which
can generate new blood cells, are separated out from donated blood
and are then grown to produce red blood cells in the laboratory. The
researchers are studying the lifespan of the lab-grown cells, compared
with normal blood cells from the same donor. The lab-grown blood cells
are all fresh, so the trial team expects them to perform better than a
similar transfusion of standard donated red cells, which contains cells
of varying ages.
The manufactured cells are labelled with a tracer element so the
researchers can detect the cells in blood samples and work out how
long they last. If manufactured cells last longer in the body, patients
who regularly need blood may not need transfusions as often. That
would reduce serious complications that can be caused by having
transfusions regularly.
The people taking part in the trial are healthy volunteers who were
recruited from the National Institute for Health and Care Research
(NIHR) BioResource. Two people have so far been given the lab grown
red cells at the NIHR Cambridge Clinical Research Facility. (at the time
of reporting) They were closely monitored and no untoward side effects
were reported. They are well and healthy. A minimum of 10 participants
will receive two mini transfusions at least four months apart, one of
standard donated red cells and one of lab-grown red cells, to find out if
the young red blood cells made in the laboratory last longer than cells
made in the body.
The trial is the first step towards making lab-grown red blood cells more
widely available. However, for the foreseeable future, manufactured
cells could only be used for a very small number of patients with very
complex transfusion needs.
Further trials are needed before the lab-grown cells can be used on a
larger scale, but this research marks a significant step in using lab-grown
blood to improve treatment for patients. If proved safe and effective,
manufactured blood cells could in time revolutionise treatments for
people with blood disorders such as sickle cell and rare blood types. It
can be difficult to find enough well-matched donated blood for some
people with these disorders.
Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Executive of the NIHR said: “These NIHRsupported researchers have made it possible to grow blood in the lab,
turning what sounds like science fiction into a ground-breaking reality.
Giving lab-grown blood could offer crucial treatments to people who
aren’t suitable for normal blood transfusions. This is really exciting
progress that is another example of the world-leading life sciences
opportunities that the UK has to offer.”
Professor Ashley Toye, Professor of Cell Biology at the University of
Bristol and Director of the NIHR Blood and Transplant Unit in red cell
products, said: “This challenging and exciting trial is a huge stepping
stone for manufacturing blood from stem cells.”
Dr Farrukh Shah, Medical Director of Transfusion for NHS Blood and
Transplant, said: “Patients who need regular or intermittent blood
transfusions may develop antibodies against minor blood groups which
makes it harder to find donor blood which can be transfused without
the risk of a potentially life-threatening reaction. This world leading
research lays the groundwork for the manufacture of red blood cells
that can safely be used to transfuse people with disorders like sickle
cell. The need for normal blood donations to provide the vast majority
of blood will remain. But the potential for this work to benefit hard to
transfuse patients is very significant.”
Operating theatre in a Portakabin-built modular building at Royal
Stoke University Hospital
Portakabin has bought modular healthcare builder that turned over
£80m in 2022.
Portakabin, which specialises in modular building, did not disclose how
much it paid the Telford-based Darwin Group, but said the acquisition
will help it to expand into the healthcare sector and offer “significant
benefits to healthcare providers across the UK”.
Darwin has around 200 employees and represents a “highly strategic
acquisition” for Portakabin, the latter said. Portakabin itself is based in
York and turned over £355.9m in the year to 31 December 2021.
“[The acquisition] closely aligns with the pursuit of the longer-term
strategic growth ambitions for Portakabin and directly serves to
address the growing demand for high-quality temporary and permanent
building solutions across Europe,” Portakabin said in a statement.
Portakabin chief executive Dan Ibbetson said: “This union between two
of the most respected offsite modular builders in their respective fields
is an exciting development for both Portakabin and Darwin Group.
“We are both passionate about providing the healthcare sector with the
most comprehensive range of market-leading products and services,
particularly given the considerable pressures on our healthcare
professionals today.”
Darwin chief executive Richard Pierce said: “An incredibly strong
culture runs through the DNA of both businesses, and our commitment
to delivering quality healthcare facilities allowing clinicians to enhance
patient care makes this a natural fit.”
Modular construction has become highly sought-after within the
healthcare sector as it is viewed as a way of increasing safety on site,
completing jobs more quickly and reducing carbon during construction
work.
The government is also seeking to increase modular construction across
public spending – with both Darwin and Portakabin already included
on a Crown Commercial Services framework for modular healthcare
buildings.
In January, offsite modular specialist Merit announced a 4,000-squaremetre expansion of its North East manufacturing plant, while fellow
modular specialist M-AR announced plans to scale up its production last
November.
Source: CN Construction News - JOSHUA STEIN
Neil O’Brien, Minister of State for Health, said: “This research, backed
by government investment, represents a breakthrough for patients and
means treatment could be transformed for those with diseases including
sickle cell. Once again this shows the UK is leading the world when it
comes to scientific innovation and collaboration while delivering high
quality care to those who need it the most.”
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The Operating Theatre Journal
Issue 392
May
in
2023
TM
31