Bone marrow donation: looking for young men - A la une

2023-04-17 10:15:25

17 avril 2023

The number of voluntary bone marrow donors has increased significantly in 2022. To improve the vital prognosis of an ever-increasing number of patients, the Biomedicine Agency intends to attract even more men aged 18 to 35. And bet on more diversity in donor profiles.

Bone marrow transplantation is involved in the management of patients with blood diseases such as leukemia.

8% of French people are donors

Removal and transplantation are made possible thanks to the generosity of donors. To date, 8% of the French population is registered in the donor register, with a target of 25% set for 2026. Good news: 2022 was a good year with a record reached of 38,314 new registered in the register voluntary donors.

Figures relayed by the Biomedicine Agency in early April, on the occasion of the launch of the dedicated campaign. A long-term event, organized until September 17, marked by World Day for Bone Marrow Donation.

But how to increase the number of donors even more? Partly by better information disseminated to the general population on the subject: to date, “90% of 18-35 year olds are aware of the existence of bone marrow donation”, relays the Biomedicine Agency. But by far only: only 30% of them really know how to explain what it is. However, to take action, a good degree of awareness is necessary.

Better target donors

In order to meet the health needs of as many patients as possible, the time has also come to diversify donor profiles. On this subject, the Biomedicine Agency recalls three priorities from 2023. In short, it is a question of recruiting:

More men : the male population represents 36% of the registered donors. And the vast majority (70%) of samples are taken from these same male patients. These are more effective: “a harvest of bone marrow cells from a male donor improves the patient’s chances of a successful transplant.” How to explain it? By immunological factors: because of possible pregnancies, even if they have not been carried to term, women develop certain antibodies that are not found in men. And these antibodies precisely increase the risk of transplant rejection.
More young donorsaged between 18 and 35. “Grafts from young people are the ones that give the best chance to patients, because they are richer in hematopoietic stem cells (blood cells produced by the bone marrow), which promotes graft take”, supports the Agency. Not to mention the 8-year period that elapses on average between registration on the register and the first contact for a direct debit: “the earlier the donor registers, the more likely he is to be approached and to be able to help a patient”continues the Biomedicine Agency.
More profiles to increase genetic mixing and the chances of compatibility between a donor and a recipient. “It is therefore essential that the register reflect the diversity of the origins of the French population and therefore of the patients”concludes the Biomedicine Agency.

To note : to find out more, visit the website www.dondemoelleosseuse.fr.

Source : National monitoring committee for the ministerial plan in the field of CSH removal and transplantation 2022-2026, Biomedicine Agency, April 5, 2023
Written by : Laura Bourgault – Edited by: Vincent Roche