Pathogen-reduction technology, good in more than one way for cellular blood components, is replacing irradiation

Clinical application of pathogen-reduction technology (PRT) is often restricted to platelet and non-cellular components, representing a minor fraction of the overall blood supply. The greatest benefit for patient safety may eventually derive from PRT in red cells, which is still unavailable for routine use. PRT is more effective to inactivate leukocytes than current irradiation, particularly pertinent for Japan with the only universal irradiation of cellular blood components. Elsewhere, only vulnerable patient cohorts are receiving irradiated cellular components. Blood components treated with approved PRT systems are exempt from irradiation if the patient requires irradiated components. Transfusion medicine has a strategic opportunity to develop and eventually utilize PRT for all cellular components, other than hematopoietic progenitor cell products. PRT would then enable leukocyte inactivation for 100 % of the blood supply, beneficial for transfusion safety in all patients.