Transportation of peripheral blood progenitor cell products: effect of ambient temperature

Abstract Background aims Peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) products are often transported at high cell concentrations (>200 × 109 /L) over long distances, requiring >36 h transport time. Methods Fresh PBPC samples from eight healthy donors were studied with two viability assays for effects of temperature outside the transport container (ambient temperature). The Coleman 5272 container, routinely used by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) with two −20°C gel packs, was compared with the Coleman 6216 container, which can hold four −20°C gel packs. Results The temperature inside the smaller transport container (5272) proved to be sensitive to ambient temperature, whereas the larger container (6216) was less sensitive. The viability of CD34+ cells, and the survival of granulocyte–macrophage colony-forming units (GM-CFU), was more dependent on the ambient temperature for the smaller than for the larger container. Conclusions PBPC products are most often transported at approximately 2−8°C. The inside temperature of the container currently used by the NMDP appears to be more sensitive to increases in temperature when exposed to higher ambient temperature for prolonged periods of time. Increasing the number of gel packs from two to four improves the stability of the temperature inside the container but would require a different container.