Table 1.

Pros and cons of the various sources of RBCs for drug-loading

RBC source	Pros	Cons
Autologous	• Lessened infectious disease risk • No allo-immunization	• Donor RBC may be pathologically altered • Larger volume phlebotomy may limit donor eligibility in disease states
Allogeneic	• Does not necessitate phlebotomy of patients • Facilitates central manufacture • Existing infrastructure for unit collection and distribution	• Allo-immunization potential • Infectious disease risks
Fresh	• Better circulation/survival • No accumulation of ‘storage lesion’ byproducts	• Necessitates ‘on-demand’ production • Logistical hurdles to deliver units/drugs to some centers
Stored	• Ease of central manufacture • Facilitates production timing	• ‘Storage lesion’ byproducts and cellular changes may compromise efficacy • May alter interaction with drug cargo or appended ligands