TECHNICAL ASPECTS AND PERFORMANCE IN COLLECTING PERIPHERAL-BLOOD PROGENITOR CELLS

The combination of effective mobilization protocols and efficient use of apheresis systems has led to a rapid growth of peripheral blood pro genitor cell (PBPC) transplantation. The specifications for these proc edures are changing towards more automated systems for standard collec tions to minimize operator interaction and to collect PBPC efficiently from donors and patients and also to reduce the collection of undesir ed cells such as polymorphonuclear cells and platelets using functiona lly closed, sterile environments for collection, in keeping with good manufacturing practice guidelines. The increasing need for pediatric p rocedures requires apheresis systems that run efficiently at low flow rates. It is also desirable to have a low extracorporeal volume. Techn ical considerations related to PBPC harvesting should include strategi es facilitating more efficient collection such as large-volume leukaph eresis, which is able to increase the PBPC yield. The most common comp lication related to apheresis is catheter occlusion, and care should b e taken to prevent thrombosis and maintain vascular access. However, r efinement and improvement of collection techniques continue to add to the armamentarium of current approaches for cancer and nonmalignant co nditions and will enable the development of new strategies.