NCT00001846 · National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
Collection and Distribution of Blood Components From Healthy Donors for In Vitro Research Use
What this study is about
This protocol is designed to provide a mechanism for the Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center to collect and process blood components from paid, healthy volunteer donors for distribution to NIH intramural investigators and FDA researchers for in vitro laboratory use.
View original scientific description
This protocol is designed to provide a mechanism for the Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center to collect and process blood components from paid, healthy volunteer donors for distribution to NIH intramural investigators and FDA researchers for in vitro laboratory use. Donors meeting research donor eligibility criteria will be recruited to donate blood and blood components by standard phlebotomy and apheresis techniques. The investigational nature of the studies in which their blood will be used, and the risks and discomforts of the donation process will be carefully explained to the donors, and a signed informed consent document will be obtained. Donors will be compensated according to an established schedule based on the duration and discomfort of the donation. NIH and FDA investigators requesting blood components for research use will be required to submit an electronic (Web-based) memo of request, briefly describing the nature of the research, and providing assurance that samples provided through this protocol will be used solely for in vitro and not for in vivo research. This protocol also provides a detailed schema for careful and frequent laboratory safety monitoring of repeat research apheresis donors. Blood components for research use will be distributed with a unique product number, and the DTM principal and associate investigators will serve as the custodians of the code that links the product with a donor s identity. The nature of the in vitro studies in which the blood and components collected in this study will be used is not the subject of this protocol, and is not possible to describe, since it involves basic investigative efforts in greater than 170 different NIH and FDA laboratories.
Primary outcome measures
Provision of samples to researchers
Time frame: Quarterly
Provision of samples to researchers
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Donors must meet the eligibility criteria for volunteer blood donation, defined in the Code of Federal Regulations 21 CFR 640, and AABB Standards as modified in the 2007 FDA/CBER Guidance Document: Eligibility Criteria for Donors of Human Cells, Tissues, and Cellular and Tissue-Based Products, with the exception of foreign travel history and other conditions, as noted below:
- Ability of subject to understand, ask questions, and the willingness to provide written informed consent
- Age greater than or equal to 18 years
- Weight greater than 110 pounds
- Female subjects should not be pregnant
- No known heart, lung, kidney disease, or bleeding disorders
- No history of sickle cell disease
- No history of engaging in high-risk activities for exposure to the AIDS virus, as defined in the AABB Donor Education Materials distributed to all donors. Deferral periods for high-risk activities (MSM, IV drug use or receipt of money or drugs in exchange for sex) will not exceed the corresponding deferral period as defined for allogeneic blood donors.
- No history of malaria in the past 12 months
- Donors who have a family history of CJD, donors who have undergone tattooing or body piercing, donors who have received a graft such as bone, skin or dura mater, donors who are taking finasteride or retinoids, and donors who have had sexual contact within the past 12 months with a person who has symptomatic hepatitis C infection or donors who have lived with a person who has hepatitis in the last 12 months, are similarly eligible for research-use only donations on this protocol.
- Donors who have traveled to Europe, Africa, Asia, and areas of South America, who are rendered ineligible for allogeneic donation due to malarial risk, Zika risk and vCJD risk, are eligible for research donations
- Donors with a history of repeat false positive HTLV I/II, who are rendered ineligible for allogeneic donation, are eligible for research donations.
- Donors with a positive antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) only, without other positive infectious disease markers,are eligible for research donations.
- Donors with HLA antibodies are eligible for research donations
- Donors who have received an experimental drug, agent, or vaccine, and who are referred for a research blood, plasma or leukocyte collection, specifically because they were given this drug, agent, or vaccine, are acceptable only if their research product is collected for use by the PI who administered the experimental drug, agent, or vaccine. Otherwise, they are deferred for one year after receiving an experimental drug, agent, or vaccine.
- Donors who have received a xenotransplant are eligible for research donations.
- Granulocyte donors may not receive dexamethasone if they have poorly controlled hypertension or diabetes, or if they have a history of cataracts. Hetastarch (also known as hydroxyethyl starch or "HES") and dexamethasone may elevate blood pressure and raise blood glucose levels, and repetitive steroid administration may increase the risk of posterior subcapsular cataract formation or progression.
- Granulocyte donors must have an estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) rate of \> 45ml/min/1.73m\^2.
- Granulocyte donors may not receive filgrastim if they have a history or symptoms of coronary heart disease. Investigators are informed that eligibility standards for research donors differ from those for transfusion donors through an electronic "User Agreement" which they electronically sign when they register to receive blood components on this protocol.
Where
- Bethesda, Maryland
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Jul 8, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations