Physician Information
Q. What is MatchView?
A. MatchViewSM is an online resource where patients can view the number of potential donors and cord blood units they may have on the NMDP Registry at the moment it is used. To use MatchView, patients need human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing results for HLA-A, -B, and -DRB1. MatchView includes information to help patients understand HLA matching and the next steps in the search and transplant process. The purpose of MatchView is to help patients discuss unrelated transplant as a treatment option with their physician.
Related Links: Patient MatchView Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who is the intended audience for MatchView?
A. While it is possible for anyone to enter their HLA typing into MatchView, the primary audience is U.S. patients who are exploring their treatment options. MatchView is not intended for patients who are already connected with a transplant center because the transplant center will have more detailed information on the patient’s search than provided by MatchView.
Q. What do the results of MatchView indicate?
A. The results indicate the number of potential donor and cord blood unit matches a patient may have on the NMDP Registry. The donors and cord blood units are potential matches to the patient at the antigen level, not the allele level. MatchView considers 6 HLA loci (two of each: HLA-A, -B, and -DRB1) based on NMDP’s minimum matching requirements. The matches are called potential because additional testing is needed to confirm the suitability of the donors or cord blood units.
Related Links:
Searching for an Unrelated Donor or Cord Blood Unit HLA Matching for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
Q. How is MatchView different from NMDP preliminary and formal searches?
A. MatchView is informational only and is not an alternative to an NMDP preliminary or formal search. MatchView provides a view of the number of potential matches listed on the NMDP Registry for a patient at the time MatchView is run.
Unlike an NMDP preliminary search, MatchView does not consider donors and cord blood units listed on international registries. An NMDP preliminary search, which can be performed only by a physician, considers the global listing of more than 10 million donors and cord blood units. The results may yield more potential matches than the MatchView results. An NMDP formal search occurs when a transplant center requests potential donors and/or cord blood units for further testing.
Related Links: Searching for an Unrelated Donor or Cord Blood Unit Preliminary Search Request Form
Q. What is the likelihood that my patient will find an HLA-matched unrelated donor?
A. Each patient’s likelihood will vary based on his or her HLA tissue type, but the average likelihood has increased from 55% in 1993 to 86% in 2005. Some HLA alleles and haplotypes are more common than others and they are distributed at different frequencies in different racial and ethnic groups. While some patients have several potential matches, others have only a few.
Related Links: Likelihood of Finding an Unrelated Donor or Cord Blood Unit
Q. What should I do when patients bring in their MatchView results?
A. Use the opportunity to discuss the factors that indicate whether or not an unrelated donor or cord blood transplant is a treatment option. When transplant is an option — even if it is not the first line of treatment — consider a consultation with a transplant physician.
You can also encourage your patients to contact the NMDP Office of Patient Advocacy. We connect patients and their families to the services and materials needed from diagnosis through survivorship. Office of Patient Advocacy case managers support patients and provide education on the search and transplant process. Physicians and patients can contact us toll free at 1 (888) 999-6743. To contact us by e-mail: physicians please use opasercives@nmdp.org; patients please use patientinfo@nmdp.org.
Related Links: Recommended Timing for Transplant Consultation
NMDP Services and Education Programs
Q. Should the number of matches influence when I refer a patient for consultation?
A. No. For patients who might benefit from a transplant, a timely referral to a transplant center for consultation can increase the likelihood of a favorable outcome. The search to find the best donor or cord blood unit can take as little as 2 weeks to as long as 2 months or more. Starting the donor search early, no matter how many potential matches a patient has, may improve the chances of the patient having the transplant when it is the right time in his or her disease.
Related Links: Effective Planning for Unrelated Donor Transplant Recommended Timing for Transplant Consultation
Q. How will MatchView impact my practice?
A. Once patients receive their MatchView results, they may bring them in to discuss transplant as a treatment option. Our hope is that this resource will create better informed, empowered patients and start the discussion of transplant when appropriate. Early consideration of transplant as an option in a patient’s treatment plan can lead to more timely referrals and better transplant outcomes.
In some instances, a transplant patient with an active search at an NMDP transplant center (TC) may bring in MatchView results to discuss. Remind the patient that MatchView results may be different than TC search results because the TC search considers donors and cord blood units from the NMDP Registry and partner registries throughout the world. Physicians may also want to discuss donor matching and address any patient questions about the search process.
Q. Does MatchView advocate transplant as the best treatment option?
A. No. MatchView includes educational messages about transplant being one of the treatment options available, but not the only or best option for all patients. The intent of MatchView is to encourage patients to discuss transplant as one of the treatment options available for their disease. Early consideration of transplant within the patient’s treatment plan can lead to better transplant outcomes.
Related Links: Recommended Timing for Transplant Consultation
Q. Who should perform HLA tissue typing?
A. Initial HLA tissue typing can be performed by the transplant center or a referring physician. It may be more efficient and less costly for the patient if the transplant center performs the HLA tissue typing, because:
- Transplant centers may require the patient and the potential donors or cord blood units be tested in the same laboratory to ensure quality and consistency of results.
- Insurance companies may only cover the costs of HLA tissue typing when performed at a transplant center.
Related Links: Unrelated Donor Search Process, Step By Step
Q. Why is the NMDP offering this resource?
A. As part of our commitment to health care professionals and the patients they serve, the NMDP is offering this resource to increase patients’ access to information on transplant as a treatment option. This self-advocacy resource is designed to empower patients to receive the best and most timely care.
Additionally, as the awardee of the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program contract for the Office of Patient Advocacy/Single Point of Access, the NMDP is required by federal mandate to “permit transplant physicians, other appropriate health care professionals, and patients to search by means of electronic access all available bone marrow donors and cord blood units listed in the Program.”
More information about referring a patient for transplant consultation and the search process
Medical professionals can also contact the Office of Patient Advocacy by e-mail at opaservices@nmdp.org or by phone at 1 (888) 999-6743 ext 7909.
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