Blood transfusions at home: a new option for terminally ill cancer patients?

NCT ID NCT05509439

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether giving blood transfusions at home is practical and acceptable for people with advanced blood cancers who have a life expectancy of six months or less. Ten patients were enrolled, and a trained nurse administered transfusions at home following safety guidelines. The goal was to see if patients would agree to the program, complete the transfusions, and report their experiences.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Home transfusion program (blood transfusions administered at home by a trained nurse)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could make blood transfusions more convenient and comfortable for terminally ill blood cancer patients, improving their quality of life at home.
What could go wrong: This was a very small study (10 patients) with no control group, so results may not apply to everyone. Home transfusions carry risks like allergic reactions or infections, though the program followed safety guidelines.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

hematopoietic and lymphoid cell neoplasm hematopoietic and lymphoid system neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

HEMATOLOGIC MALIGNANCY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States

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