LIQUID STORAGE OF PERIPHERAL-BLOOD PROGENITOR CELLS FOR TRANSPLANTATION

Peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) were mobilised by recominant human G-CSF (rhG-CSF) and cyclophosphamide, harvested by apheresis fro m 9 patients with NHL and stored at 4 degrees C without further manipu lation. They were then reinfused after high-dose chemotherapy. We moni tored the change in colony-forming units-granulocyte, macrophage (CFU- GM) proliferation as well as plasma glucose, lactate and pH levels ove r the period of the study. In an attempt to maintain CFU-GM numbers, r hG-CSF was added to storage bags at collection and 48 h later. Our obs ervations suggest that cell viability is well maintained and that CFU- GM numbers rise over the first 48 h of storage before falling rapidly. Metabolic changes cause a fall in the pH and glucose levels with a re ciprocal rise in plasma lactate. The addition of rhG-CSF at a concentr ation of 10 ng/ml to cells in storage showed no detectable benefit. Fo llowing storage for 96 h, 77% (SEM+/-8%) of the initial CFU-GM remaine d.