[Stem cell concentrates in autologous transplantation]

Abstract

For some years, there has been an increasing success in transplanting PBSC instead of autologous bone marrow in patients suffering from leukemic diseases. In healthy cytapheresis donors, we achieved peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBM) recoveries of 74%, using a discontinuous flow separation technique (Haemonetics V50, Lymphosurge). At the moment, we have collected PBSC from 4 patients (3 AML, 1 ALL) in 28 cytapheresis procedures ranging from 12.9% to 80.1% (mean: 40.1%), whereas stem cell recoveries, defined by CFU-GM, were significantly better (mean: 66%). At present, one of these patients has been transplanted with PBSC alone, receiving 2.11 x 10(8) PBM/kg with 2.8 x 10(4) CFU-GM/kg. His posttransplantation cytopenia was shorter compared to other patients undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation. The period of disease-free survival is now more than eight months while he is completely reintegrated into social and working life.