From Central Office
From the President
Ensuring access to therapies is essential. Among these, blood components and plasma-derived medicinal products (PDMPs) hold a special place, as they rely entirely on the altruistic gifts of blood and plasma donors. Donor safety is paramount—for the wellbeing of donors themselves, but also for the continuous availability of components and PDMPs for patients. One key unresolved question is the impact of plasma donation frequency on donor protein levels, particularly immunoglobulins, at a time when global demand for PDMPs is increasing.
Pierre Tiberghien, ISBT President
Co-authored by Miquel Lozano, Editor-in-Chief, Vox Sanguinis
It is therefore most welcome that the results of the first-ever prospective randomized trials addressing this question have now been published. Conducted in Belgium and Norway, these studies have delivered impactful findings regarding the breadth of protein depletion in relation with plasma donation frequencies and pave the way to further research on this important topic.
- Mortier A et al. Effects of plasmapheresis frequency on health status and exercise performance in men: A randomized controlled trial. Vox Sang. 2024. doi:10.1111/vox.13569.
- Haugen M et al. The effect of plasma donation frequency on total serum protein, immunoglobulin G and donor safety: A non-inferiority randomized controlled trial. Vox Sang. 2025. doi:10.1111/vox.70105.
Together with Miquel Lozano, Vox Sanguinis Chief Editor-in-Chief, we wish to highlight and celebrate that both of these landmark studies were published in Vox Sanguinis, the scientific journal of our society. This is precisely the mission of Vox: to disseminate high-quality, practice-changing findings that inform and shape transfusion and cellular therapy from donor to patient. We are very proud.
Vox Sanguinis is ISBT’s official, peer-reviewed scientific journal since 1956. It aims to publish cutting-edge research, reviews, and evidence-based analyses across all areas of transfusion medicine and cellular therapies. With a global readership, the journal serves as a trusted source of knowledge for clinicians, scientists, and policy-makers worldwide, supporting the advancement of safe and effective donor and patient care.
Publishing high-quality and impactful research informs knowledge and practice while strengthening the visibility of the journal. In turn, this broadens its reach and impact, enabling us to better serve donors and patients worldwide. As one of ISBT’s core values is “Excellence in science & knowledge transfer,” maintaining the highest standards in Vox Sanguinis is a direct expression of that commitment. We therefore warmly encourage ISBT members to submit their best science to our journal.
We would also like to thank the editorial board of Vox Sanguinis, as well as our many colleagues who serve tirelessly as reviewers. Their expert assessments and constructive suggestions are essential to maintaining the high quality of the studies published, and to ensuring that the journal continues to be a trusted reference for the field.
January next year marks the 70th anniversary of Vox Sanguinis. This milestone will be celebrated. It is fitting that we prepare for it with excellent science — here the pioneering contributions from our Belgian and Norwegian colleagues. We extend our sincere congratulations to them and look forward to many more landmark studies that will carry Vox Sanguinis into its next decades of impact. Thank you again for your support and engagement.
With our very best wishes,
Pierre Tiberghien, ISBT President
Miquel Lozano, Editor-in-Chief, Vox Sanguinis
