Abstract

Background: Platelet transfusion is significantly involved in the treatment of oncology patients since the disease process as well as 
many therapeutic agents can induce significant thrombocytopenia. Many variables regarding platelet products were studied over the 
years to determine the quality of platelet products. The study aimed to assess the quality of platelet-rich plasma platelet concentrate, and 
apheresis platelet concentrate that are available for transfusion in oncology centres.
Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the main blood bank in Basra, Iraq, the blood bank branch in Basra 
Specialized Children’s Hospital, and oncology centres in Basra between May 2023 and September 2023. One hundred fifty apheresis 
platelet concentrate units and 150 Platelet-rich plasma platelet concentrate units were assessed for their in vitro quality by assessing the 
volume of platelet concentrate units, platelet count per unit, and residual white blood cell per unit. Fifty patients were assessed for their 
response to platelet transfusion; half received PRP-PC, and the other half received apheresis platelet concentrate. 
Results: Apheresis-PC units met volume and residual WBC criteria (98.08%, 90.38%) better than PRP-PC (61.33%, 5.60%). Final 
scoring showed 4.6% PRP and 15.3% apheresis-PC, scoring 3. Patient response analysis revealed increased platelet count after 
transfusion, with a higher number of transfused units for PRP-PC (13 ± 5.28 units) vs. apheresis-PC (1 ± 0.28 units). Recovery was > 
20% for 80% of apheresis-PC and 56% for PRP-PC.
Conclusion: Apheresis-PC outperformed PRP-PC in meeting quality standards. Apheresis-PC had a higher platelet count and lower 
WBC contamination, which makes it a better choice for platelet transfusion to reduce recipient exposure to multiple donors. Recipient 
differences in age, weight, blood volume, and type of malignancy didn't affect the transfusion response.