GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICE PRODUCTION OF HUMAN STEM-CELLS FOR SOMATIC-CELL AND GENE-THERAPY

Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) are used for transplantation to rec onstitute the hematopoietic system after high-dose chemotherapy. PBSC are harvested from peripheral blood upon successful mobilization by cy tokines and/or chemotherapy. Further in vitro manipulation steps like enrichment of CD34(+) PBSC or gene transfer can be performed. To ensur e the quality and safety of the final cell preparations intended for t ransplantation, national and international guidelines and regulations have been issued. Herein the implementation of a quality assurance pro gram including the principles of good manufacturing practice (GMP) and a quality control (QC) system is one major concern, GMP regulations a pply to all phases of cell collection, processing and storage as well as documentation, training of personnel, and the laboratory facility. QC measures have to be taken to ensure consistent quality and safety w ith an emphasis on preventing any deficiencies.