Mobilization, harvesting and selection of peripheral blood stem cells in patients with autoimmune diseases undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: Cell Procurement

Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) were mobilized in 130 patients with autoimmune diseases undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using cyclophosphamide 2 g/m 2 and either granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) 5 mcg/kg/day (for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, SPMS) or G-CSF 10 mcg/kg/day (for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), Crohn's disease (CD), systemic sclerosis (SSc), and other immune-mediated disorders). Mobilization-related mortality was 0.8% (one of 130) secondary to infection. Circulating peripheral blood (PB) CD34 + cells/ μ l differed significantly by disease. Collected CD34 + cells/kg/apheresis and overall collection efficiency was significantly better using Spectra apheresis device compared to the Fenwall CS3000 instrument. Patients with SLE and RRMS achieved the lowest and the highest CD34 + cell yields, respectively. Ex vivo CD34 + cell selection employing Isolex 300iv2.5 apparatus was significantly more efficient compared to CEPRATE CS device. Circulating PB CD34 + cells/ μ l correlated positively with initial CD34 + cells/kg/apheresis and enriched product CD34 + cells/kg. Mean WBC and platelet engraftment (ANC>0.5 × 10 9 /l and platelet count >20 × 10 9 /l) occurred on days 9 and 11, respectively. Infused CD34 + cell/kg dose showed significant direct correlation with faster white blood cell (WBC) and platelet engraftment. When adjusted for CD34 + cell/kg dose, patients treated with a myeloablative regimen had significantly slower WBC and platelet recovery compared to non-myeloablative regimens.