Leukapheresis through the CFAR Clinical Core – November 20, 2015
The CFAR Clinical Core has established a mechanism for large volume leukapheresis for
research. As there are other mechanisms for obtaining anonymous large volume blood samples from
HIV uninfected persons (see below), these clinical specimens will be obtained only from volunteers with
HIV infection.
To obtain peripheral blood from uninfected donors, here are two mechanisms:
1. Contact Life Share (440-322-5700) who can provide you with single unit (450 cc) whole blood
packs for $250 USD.
2. Contact the UH Blood Bank who perform several whole blood volume exchanges weekly among
persons with Sickle Cell Disease. These samples are typically available Thursdays and Fridays.
Please contact Jo Anne Solecki at 844-8606 to schedule access to these specimens.
To get on the queue for leukapheresis preparations from HIV infected donors, please fill out the form
below. As this resource is limited, we will process one request at a time from a PI. We estimate that
approximately 10 billion mononuclear cells will be recovered from each pack. We are hoping to recruit
1-2 donors per month for these services and will contact you to let you know when your donor’s
leukapheresis is scheduled. Be prepared to receive the sample at the end of the scheduled leukapheresis
and to isolate mononuclear cells from the preparation in your own laboratory. Please note – the clinical
core will not process these packs for preparation of mononuclear cells. You will also receive two 6 mL
whole blood EDTA tubes with the leukapheresis pack. Your specimens will contain a CFAR SIU Data Base
Identifier that can be used if you need specific (de-identified) details from the data base about your
donor. Data base access will also incur standard (modest) CFAR Clinical Core Data Base charges.
We anticipate that most HIV+ donors will have levels of virus in plasma that are almost always below the
limits of detection by commercial assays for at least 2 years prior to leukapheresis. Donations by HIV+
donors who are not receiving antiretroviral therapy may be available but as current standards
recommend therapy for all HIV+ subjects, these individuals are rare.
Priority: Priority will be assigned to requests in the order that they are received, one at a time per
laboratory.
You will be notified by phone and email in advance of the scheduled date of the leukapheresis for your
donation. If our scheduler does not get confirmation within 24 hrs. of your laboratory’s ability to receive
this sample, we will contact the next laboratory on the request list. Please be sure that your laboratory
is ready to receive the sample. This is very important as these donors and their samples are precious.
Charges: For a Leukapack, your account will be charged $1,500 USD to cover the costs of recruitment,
screening tests, leukapheresis. If more detailed information about your donor is needed from the data
base, you will be asked to fill out a data base request form (on the CFAR Clinical Services Core web site)
that identifies the donor by CFAR SIU Data Base Identifier (on your pack) and your account will be
charged the standard Data Base charge ($50/hr).
LEUKAPHERESIS REQUEST FORM
Date of Request:
Research Project Name:
Research Project PI:
Funding Source:
HIV+ Donor: (check one)
Account to be charged:
A.
B.
with controlled viremia on antiretroviral therapy
untreated
Name, email address and phone number of person who will receive and process the leukapack:
Name:
Email Address:
Phone Number:
Please send this request by email to:
Jane Baum - Baum.Jane@clevelandactu.org
And
Dan Kilbane -
Kilbane.Dan@clevelandactu.org
You will be notified when your donor’s leukapheresis is scheduled