In the United States, rare diseases affect approximately 30 million people. Many of these individuals struggle with limited treatment options and decreased quality of life.
Plasma-derived therapies, developed from voluntary plasma donations, have proven crucial in treating various rare, genetic, and chronic conditions. These biological treatments are invaluable to patients for managing symptoms and improving overall well-being.
In this blog, we explore what plasma is used for and the impact of plasma therapies on patients living with rare diseases.
What Is Plasma?
Plasma is one of the four main components of blood, along with red and white blood cells and platelets. When separated from these other components, plasma is an amber-colored fluid. It is the liquid base for whole blood, making up about 55% of total blood volume.
- Plasma contains the following:
- Coagulants
- Plasma proteins, such as albumin and globulin
- Electrolytes
- Immunoglobulins
- Vitamins, enzymes and hormones
What Plasma Does in the Body
Plasma has many functions in the body. These include:
- Delivering hormones and nutrients, like protein, amino acids, lipids, glucose and vitamins to other parts of the body that need them
- Stopping bleeding by clotting blood when an injury is present
- Fighting infections caused by bacteria and viruses
- Defending against fungi and parasites
- Transporting oxygen to organs and carbon dioxide to the lungs to be excreted
- Removal of waste products produced by cells
What Is Plasma Used For?
Across the country, hospitals and private donation centers are standing by to collect plasma from donors. In 2021 alone, there were over 43 million plasma donations, and demand is still increasing.
Why is plasma in high demand? What is plasma used for?
Donated plasma is used in many ways, including the following:
- As treatment in emergencies: Plasma is given to patients experiencing bleeding, trauma or shock. It is also a treatment for patients with severe burns. Additionally, plasma is used for patients with severe liver disease or difficulty clotting blood.
- To make preventative medications: Plasma is a crucial ingredient in preventative medications against rabies, tetanus and hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN).
- In medical and scientific research: Donated plasma can be used to research treatments and cures for diseases.
- To make treatments for rare diseases: Donated plasma is collected and processed by pharmaceutical companies into therapies for rare illnesses such as immune deficiencies and bleeding disorders.
Rare Diseases and Plasma-based Therapies
According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), a condition is deemed rare when it affects a population of fewer than 200,000 people. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization defines it as a disease that impacts fewer than 65 out of 100,000 people.
According to the National Human Genome Institute, about 80% of these rare diseases are hereditary. Some of these genetic and rare conditions are treated using plasma-derived therapies. These include the following:
Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases (PIDs)
These are a group of over 400 conditions, many of them genetic, that are characterized by a deficient or malfunctioning immune system, leading to increased susceptibility to infections and other health problems.
Many people with PIDs who lack antibodies are treated using immunoglobulin (Ig) replacement therapy. This is a plasma-derived therapy for patients who don’t have sufficient antibodies or whose antibodies do not function correctly.
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)
This is a rare autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the myelin sheaths of the nerves. Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy (IVIg), a plasma-derived therapy, is one of the treatments for this condition.
Bleeding Disorders
These are disorders characterized by the inability to form a blood clot. Examples include hemophilia and von Willebrand disease.
Plasma-based therapies have been used to treat bleeding disorders for many years. For instance, coagulation factor therapy involves infusing plasma-derived clotting factors to ensure proper blood clotting and prevent excessive bleeding.
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD)
While no longer categorized as rare, this genetic condition is uncommon and infrequently diagnosed. In AATD, the body does not produce sufficient alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT), a protein crucial in protecting the lungs.
People with AATD, or Alpha-1 as it’s also called, are at higher risk of developing emphysema, liver cirrhosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a skin condition called panniculitis.
The most common treatment for lung disease related to AATD is intravenous (IV) augmentation therapy. This involves regular infusions of AAT protein from donated plasma that has been purified.
Other conditions often treated with donated plasma include:
- Kawasaki disease
- Antithrombin III deficiency
- Hereditary angioedema
- Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
- Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
Plasma-derived therapies are life-changing for many patients with genetic or rare diseases. These biologic medicines help minimize their symptoms, slow the progression of their condition and improve their overall quality of life.
The Importance of Donating Plasma
Many plasma donations are needed to produce treatments for rare diseases. For instance, treating Alpha-1 for a year requires 900 plasma donations, hemophilia needs 1200 and PIDs need 130. Often, demand for plasma donations far outstrips supply.
Thousands of people need plasma-based therapies to survive. When you donate plasma, you give these people another chance at a healthier, happier and more productive life.
Make a Difference With ABO Plasma
Donating plasma is a quick and simple way to give back. The process is easy and fast, requiring only an hour or so of your time, but making a world of difference in the lives of people with rare or genetic diseases.
At ABO Plasma – Orem, we aim to help save lives by collecting source plasma to be used in the manufacture of plasma-derived therapies.
We are dedicated to giving our donors a positive experience, ensuring their comfort and safety, as well as financially compensating them for their contribution.
First-time donors can make an appointment online, simply fill out the form. We also accept walk-ins. Make a difference, and donate today!