What are the technological advancements in apheresis?

The global apheresis market has shown impressive growth, spurred by the growing demand for plasma-derived products, advancements in apheresis technologies, and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases worldwide. One of the most substantial drivers of this growth is the increasing demand for plasma-derived products, which accounted for about 60% of the total apheresis market in 2023.

Automation and technological advancements have become a substantial trend in the global apheresis market. The incorporation of automation in apheresis machines has improved accuracy, efficiency, and safety, leading to augmented adoption of these devices. The usage of automation lowers the requirement for manual interventions, minimizing the risk of contamination and errors. Automated apheresis devices also have enhanced data management abilities, allowing for seamless integration with electronic health record (EHR) systems. In addition to this, according to the research report of Astute Analytica, the global apheresis market is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2032.

The technological advancements in apheresis are: -

Apheresis, an evolved medical technique, has been constantly developed since the discovery of blood circulation by William Harvey (1578-1657). Technological advancements, including the introduction of membrane filtration and centrifuges in the 20th century, have revolutionized apheresis.

Today, apheresis plays a vital role in diverse medical specialties. It is utilized in the treatment of transplantation medicine, autoimmune diseases, oncology, and metabolic diseases, thanks to its heightened safety and efficiency.

From its ancient and medieval roots, apheresis has grown into an important technique in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases. With ongoing research and technology advancements, apheresis therapy will continue to adjust to patient requirements and transform even more areas of medicine in the future.

Blood apheresis technologies are critical during blood donation and toxin removal. Current purification methods like thrombocytapheresis, leukocyte apheresis, erythrocyte apheresis, and plasmapheresis primarily depend on centrifugation and membrane filtration to isolate blood components.

Although established and scaled up, challenges associated with the selectivity and long-term impact of these techniques on blood cells and their constituents stay. Shear generated during extraction may stress blood cells leading to cell damage and activating the complement cascade causing platelet activation or triggering inflammatory responses.

Emerging technologies, including microfluidics and selective adsorption, present possible options supporting more selective extraction pathways but extensively depend on novel manufacturing or material developments.

Recent advances in therapeutic apheresis include new indications, technical advancements, and pathophysiological insights. A new device that adsorbs endotoxins onto immobilized human albumin from human whole blood was just developed.

In a prospective randomized controlled trial (endotoxin adsorber study EASY), apheresis-treated patients had more enhanced APACHE II scores than controls. In a prospective randomized trial, the Prosorba column included immobilized staphylococcal protein.

Another significant technological advancement is the development of portable apheresis machines. These devices allow for the collection of blood components at the donor's location, augmenting convenience and expanding the donor pool. Portable apheresis machines are anticipated to gain popularity in emerging markets, where healthcare infrastructure is still developing.