[willow75]

Darzalex & blood type determination

by willow75 on Mon Nov 05, 2018 3:48 pm

I'd like to understand more about Darzalex and blood typing and blood matching for trans­fusions.

It's my understanding that Darzalex can mask your normal blood type and so they have to type your blood before you receive treatment. What I'm not sure about is how that works with people who have been isoimmunized from transfusions. I've been told that I have some antibodies to two minor blood antigens because of transfusions I had as a child. At the time this was tested, the blood bank said there may have been more antibodies initially, but that sometimes they get too low to quantify as time passes. They told me it would always be important to cross-match before a transfusion.

Does Darzalex completely prevent cross-matching of blood before transfusion? Are there any extra precautions that people with a history of transfusions need to take? Fortunately my hemoglobin has been really good, but I know things can change quickly.

Thank you!