Research from stem cell charity Anthony Nolan published in Transplantation and Cellular Therapy has revealed that 1 in 50 people studied have an 'especially useful' gene variant that could make them a particularly desirable stem cell donor.
Donors with a specific variant of the HLA-E gene were linked to a significant increase in survival and decrease in cancer relapse for patients after a stem cell transplant.
Donors with other versions of the gene were linked to worse outcomes for patients and a higher rate of relapse.
The researchers say this finding gives clinicians vital clues as to which stem cell donors can give patients the best chance of survival.
A stem cell transplant is a potentially lifesaving treatment for people with a blood cancer or blood disorder. The treatment involves a patient’s stem cells being replaced with those from a healthy, genetically matched donor to help rebuild a disease-free immune and blood system.
The HLA-E gene is currently not used in transplant matching practices but is known to contribute to the function of the immune system.
The researchers say the results of this study suggest that HLA-E may have an important role in ridding the body of cancer and preventing its return following a stem cell transplant.
The study from Anthony Nolan involved collaboration with the BSBMTCT (British Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy) to analyse samples from 1,878 adult and paediatric UK patients who received a stem cell transplant from an unrelated donor between 1996-2021, and their donors. It is the first time the impact of HLA-E on stem cell transplant outcomes has been investigated using a particularly in-depth genetic typing strategy.
Blood cancer patients who received a transplant from a donor with the HLA-E*01:06 variant were 60% less likely to relapse and 30% more likely to survive within the five years following their treatment, compared to those receiving transplants from donors without the variant.
1 in 50 people studied in this research possessed the HLA-E*01:06 variant, and the researchers estimate that for patients with four donor options, there is a 10% chance that one of their potential donors will possess the beneficial variant.
The study also found that donors possessing a different, even less common version of the gene were linked to over double the risk of cancer relapse in stem cell transplant patients.
The researchers say that expanding research like this to larger groups of patients and donors could reveal even more connections between genes of the immune system and stem cell transplant outcomes, with the potential to further their understanding of what makes an ideal donor match.
This research was conducted by Anthony Nolan’s Immunogenetics Research Group, as part of their Patient/Donor Programme. This Programme involves several research projects aimed at improving stem cell transplant outcomes in the UK.
Jonathan Lucas, PhD Student at Anthony Nolan and first author of the study said:
“It’s exciting to uncover potentially impactful findings for patients in the HLA-E gene, highlighting the importance of thoroughly researching these lesser-studied genes in relation to transplant outcomes. The addition of HLA-E to existing matching processes could make a big difference for patients with the choice between multiple donors.
“The fact that we’ve uncovered the importance of HLA-E variants in transplant matching also suggests that there may be other genes within the major histocompatibility complex that may have strong links to stem cell transplant outcomes. Future analyses will take an in-depth look at additional genes and further improve our understanding of patient/donor matching.”
Dr Neema Mayor, Director of Immunogenetics and Research Services at Anthony Nolan and corresponding author of the study said:
“Research like this is fundamental to our aims within Anthony Nolan’s Immunogenetics Research Group to uncover the genetic clues that improve matching and help more patients survive and thrive.
“It’s unusual to find a gene variant whose presence in the donor is so impactful. This research could be used to help find donors who dramatically improve outcomes for those in need of a stem cell transplant.”
FULL REFERENCE: Lucas JAM et al (2026) Donor HLA-E*01:06 Confers Protection from Relapse and Improved Survival after T-Cell Depleted Matched Unrelated Donor Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation. Transplant Cell Ther. 2026 Aug 24:S2666-6367(26)00679-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jtct.2026.08.038