COMPARISON OF PERFORMANCE OF 6 DIFFERENT CELL SEPARATORS IN COLLECTING PERIPHERAL-BLOOD MONONUCLEAR-CELLS

We compared the efficacy of six different cell separators in collectin g peripheral mononuclear cells to be used for autologous or homologous peripheral stem cell transplantation. The product obtained with the D ideco Vivacell cell separator showed a low percentage of mononuclear c ells (38%) in the final product and a high platelet efficiency (38%). The Baxter CS3000 Plus cell separator required the longest time to loa d and prime the kit (18 min), it showed a high MNC efficiency (68%), w ith the highest percentage of MNC in the final product, the highest pl atelet efficiency (45%), a low red blood cell contamination in the fin al product (2.7 mL), the highest extracorporeal volume (450 mL) and a high percentage of technical failures (15%). The product obtained with the Fresenius AS104 cell separator with P1Y kit showed the highest fi nal volume (297 mt), the lowest platelet efficiency (12%) and the lowe st extracorporeal volume (230 mL). The same cell separator with C4Y ki t showed a lower MNC efficiency (52 vs 60%) and a higher percentage of MNC in final product (63 vs 41%). The platelet contamination in final product was the lowest (18 x 10(9) / 100 mL). The Haemonetics MCS3p c ell separator required the lowest time to load and prime the kit (5 mi n), it showed the highest MNC efficiency (71%). The blood volume proce ssed per hour (1328 mL) and the percentage of MNC in final product was lowest (32%), the extracorporeal volume (450 mL) was the highest. The Cobe Spectra cell separator allowed to process the highest blood volu me per hour (3383 mL) and the final product had the lowest red blood c ell contamination (2.3 mL/100 mL). The Dideco Excel cell separator req uired the longest time to load and prime the kit (18 min), the lowest MNC efficiency (38%), the highest platelet contamination in final prod uct. Furthermore this machine showed the highest percentage of technic al failure (20%). None of the six instruments have all the required pr econditions and the ideal cell separator for peripheral stem cell aphe resis at present is not available on the market. (C) 1997 Elsevier Sci ence Ltd.