Study on the Safety and Efficacy of Cryopreserved Platelets in Hypoproliferative Thrombocytopenic Patients

The purpose of this study is to study the safety and efficacy of pooled buffy-coat derived platelets which had been frozen with dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), in the prevention of bleeding for patients with hypoproliferaitve thrombocytopenia. These platelets are hereafter referred to as cryopreserved platelets. Patients who have severely low platelet count due to impaired bone marrow function from chemotherapy or certain haematological conditions may need platelet transfusion to prevent spontaneous bleeding. Currently, platelets are stored in liquid form, and must be used within five to seven days of collection. In this study, DMSO is used to preserve platelets during freezing so that they can be stored for longer than five to seven days. Investigators hope to learn if thawed cryopreserved platelets are functional and safe for transfusion in humans.