Results of the Latin American Bone Marrow Transplantation Society (LABMT) activity survey 2019-2022: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the increase in related haploidentical donors - Report - MDSpire

Results of the Latin American Bone Marrow Transplantation Society (LABMT) activity survey 2019-2022: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the increase in related haploidentical donors

  • By

  • Sebastian Galeano

  • Carmem Bonfim

  • Amado Karduss

  • Gregorio Jaimovich

  • Andrés Gómez-De León

  • Gustavo Bettarello

  • Anderson Simione

  • Cinthya Correa

  • Helen Baldomero

  • Daniel Neumann

  • Ana Lisa Basquiera

  • Mariano Berro

  • Guillermina Remaggi

  • Ariel Amaru

  • Fernando Barroso

  • Adriana Seber

  • Francisco Barriga

  • Julia Palma

  • Bárbara Puga

  • Matías Sánchez

  • Juan Manuel Herrera

  • Calixto Hernández

  • David Gómez-Almaguer

  • Félix Gaytán Morales

  • Guillermo J. Ruiz-Argüelles

  • Ninotzka Mendoza

  • María Liz Benítez

  • Alfredo Wong

  • Carolina Pagés

  • Marcos Hernández

  • Dietger Niederwieser

  • Damiano Rondelli

  • Cristóbal Frutos

  • April 18, 2025

  • 0 min

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2019-2022 Latin American Bone Marrow Transplant Survey: COVID-19 Impact & Haplo Donors

Overview

From 2019 to 2022, Latin America reported 6,767 first hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HCT), with 39% allogeneic and 61% autologous. The COVID-19 pandemic influenced transplant activity, and a notable rise in haploidentical family donors was observed, especially in allogeneic transplants.

Background

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) is a critical treatment for various hematological diseases and other disorders. The Latin American Bone and Marrow Transplantation Society (LABMT) collects regional HCT data via the Worldwide Network for Blood & Marrow Transplantation (WBMT) Global Transplant Activity survey. This report presents the third analysis of HCT activity in Latin America from 2019 to 2022, including adult and pediatric populations, donor types, and transplant trends during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Data Highlights

ParameterValue
Total HCT reported (2022)6,767
Allogeneic HCT2,646 (39%)
Autologous HCT4,121 (61%)
Pediatric HCT total1,121
Pediatric alloHCT914 (82%)
Pediatric autoHCT207 (18%)
Adult HCT total5,646
Adult alloHCT1,732 (31%)
Adult autoHCT3,914 (69%)
Transplant rate (TR) per 10 million population103 total (63 autoHCT, 40 alloHCT)

Key Findings

  • In 2022, 6,767 first HCTs were reported across 12 Latin American countries, with a majority being autologous transplants (61%).
  • Pediatric transplants comprised 1,121 cases, predominantly allogeneic (82%), whereas adults had a higher proportion of autologous transplants (69%).
  • Haploidentical donors (familial HLA non-identical) represented the largest subgroup within family allogeneic donors, reflecting a significant rise in their use.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic impacted transplant activity trends from 2019 to 2022, with data showing fluctuations in transplant numbers and donor types.
  • Transplant rates varied by country but averaged 103 HCTs per 10 million inhabitants in 2022.
  • Data collection covered over 80% of transplant centers in most reporting countries, ensuring robust regional activity representation.

Clinical Implications

The increased use of haploidentical donors expands donor availability, especially important during pandemic-related donor shortages. Understanding transplant activity trends helps optimize resource allocation and patient management in Latin America. Clinicians should consider the evolving donor landscape and pandemic effects when planning HCT strategies.

Conclusion

The 2019–2022 LABMT survey highlights sustained HCT activity in Latin America despite COVID-19 challenges, with a notable rise in haploidentical donor utilization. These findings support ongoing efforts to improve transplant access and outcomes in the region.

References

  1. LABMT/WBMT 2023 -- Findings from the 2019-2022 Activity Survey of the Latin American Bone Marrow Transplantation Society

Original Source(s)

Results of the Latin American Bone Marrow Transplantation Society (LABMT) activity survey 2019-2022: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the increase in related haploidentical donors

  • by Sebastian Galeano, Carmem Bonfim, Amado Karduss, Gregorio Jaimovich, Andrés Gómez-De León, Gustavo Bettarello, Anderson Simione, Cinthya Correa, Helen Baldomero, Daniel Neumann, Ana Lisa Basquiera, Mariano Berro, Guillermina Remaggi, Ariel Amaru, Fernando Barroso, Adriana Seber, Francisco Barriga, Julia Palma, Bárbara Puga, Matías Sánchez, Juan Manuel Herrera, Calixto Hernández, David Gómez-Almaguer, Félix Gaytán Morales, Guillermo J. Ruiz-Argüelles, Ninotzka Mendoza, María Liz Benítez, Alfredo Wong, Carolina Pagés, Marcos Hernández, Dietger Niederwieser, Damiano Rondelli, Cristóbal Frutos

  • April 18, 2025

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