Microplastics, “Young Plasma,” and Longevity Clinics: A Transfusion Medicine Reality Check

Proposed Session Description: Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has well-established, evidence-based indications. However, a rapidly expanding commercial landscape now promotes plasma exchange for toxin removal, microplastic burden reduction, aging biomarker modification, and “young plasma”–based longevity interventions. These services are increasingly marketed directly to otherwise healthy individuals, often outside traditional transfusion medicine oversight.

This session provides a critical, evidence-based examination of emerging apheresis claims in longevity medicine. Using case-based examples—including microplastic detection in human tissues, heterochronic plasma exchange models, and commercial “rejuvenation” protocols—participants will examine mechanistic plausibility, available human data, surrogate endpoint interpretation, and safety considerations.

Key questions addressed include:

Can plasma exchange meaningfully reduce tissue microplastic burden?

Do biomarker changes translate into clinical benefit?

What are the physiologic risks of large-volume exchange in healthy individuals?

Where are the regulatory and ethical boundaries?

How should transfusion medicine specialists respond when patients or institutions request these services?

Rather than endorsing or dismissing emerging practices, this session equips attendees with a structured framework to evaluate biologic plausibility, clinical evidence, and patient safety implications. As longevity-focused apheresis becomes more visible, transfusion medicine must define its standards before they are defined externally.