The efficiency of PBPC collections and the relationship to the precollection concentration of CD 34+cells in blood

Transplantations of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) are able to as sure a complete haematopoietic and immunologic reconstitution. The efficien t mobilization of progenitor cells into peripheral blood is the main factor responsible for quality of the graft as well as timing and technique of co llections. The aim of the present paper was to find the optimum time for starting PBPC collections and consequently to minimize the number of procedures required . The study was performed in patients with haematological malignancies usin g an autologous collection regimen, We attempted to determine a relationshi p between the concentration of CD 34+ cells in peripheral blood at the begi nning of the collection and the number of CD 34+ cells in the leukapheresis product prepared in the standard mode processing 2-3 total blood volumes. We assessed the significance of the CD 34+ cells concentration in periphera l blood for the adequate collection of CD 34+ cells, We also evaluated the time of engraftment in patients after autologous PBPC transplantation whene ver possible. The study was performed in 70 patients. Two groups were defin ed: Group I patients were well mobilized, whereas Group II patients were we akly mobilized. CD 34+ counts, using flow cytometry were found to be useful in predicting the optimal time for collections. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.