ALLOGENEIC TRANSPLANTATION OF PURIFIED CD34(-BLOOD - SPANISH EXPERIENCE OF 62 CASES() CELLS FROM PERIPHERAL)

This report summarizes the Spanish experience of 62 cases of allogenei c transplantation of purified CD34(+) cells from peripheral blood. HLA -identical sibling donors received G-CSF. After leukapheresis, periphe ral blood progenitor cells were purified using one of two methods: Cep rate (n = 38), or Isolex 300 (n = 24). Sixty-two patients median age 4 2 years (range 17-60) diagnosed with hematological malignancies were c onditioned with either cyclophosphamide and total body irradiation (n = 43) or busulphan and cyclophosphamide (n = 19). GVHD prophylaxis con sisted of cyclosporin A (CsA) and prednisone (n = 48), CsA alone (n = 11), and CsA and methotrexate (n = 3). The median yield and purity of CD34(+) cells after the procedure was 65% and 66% with Ceprate, and 48 % and 86% with Isolex, respectively. The median number of CD34(+) cell s infused into the patients was 3.5 x 10(6)/kg (range 1-9.6). The medi an number of CD3(+) cells administered was 0.4 x 10(6)/kg (range 0.01- 2) using Ceprate and 0.14x10(6)/kg (range 0.03-2.5) using Isolex. Neut rophil recovery >500 and >1000/mu l was achieved at a median of 13 day s (range 8-22) and 14 days (range 9-31), respectively. Platelets recov ered to >20 000 and >50 000/mu l at a median of 13 days (range 0-128) and 18 days (range 0-180), respectively. The actuarial probability of acute GVHD II-IV was 10% (95% CI, 1-19%), and of extensive chronic GVH D 12% (95% CI, 11-13%).