Transfusion of platelet concentrates cryopreserved with ThromboSol plus low-dose dimethylsulphoxide in patients with severe thrombocytopenia: a pilotstudy

We have recently reported the possibility of supporting the phase of severe thrombocytopenia after high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) and stem cell transpla ntation using 5% dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO)-cryopreserved autologous platele t concentrates (PCs). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ther apeutic potential of ThromboSol (a recently developed platelet storage solu tion) plus PCs cryopreserved in 2% DMSO in patients undergoing myeloablativ e chemotherapy and autologous transplantation. PCs were collected from 14 w omen with breast cancer by a single plateletapheresis and cryopreserved in ThromboSol/2% DMSO by either direct insertion in a -80 degrees C freezer or in liquid nitrogen after computer-controlled rate (CR) freezing. When requ ired, PCs were thawed, centrifuged to remove the cryoprotectants and transf used. In vitro studies on thawed platelets showed loss of epitopes of surfa ce glycoproteins and a marked reduction of functional activity compared wit h fresh platelets. Transfusion of CR-frozen PCs was associated with a mean 1 h corrected count increment (CCI) of 9.2 +/- 5.4 x 10(9)/l and only one a llogeneic PC was required in this group. In contrast, six out of seven pati ents required additional allogeneic transfusions in the -80 degrees C group (CCI = 2.7 +/- 1.4 x 10(9)/l). ThromboSol-treated PCs have the ability to overcome thrombocytopenia if processed by a CR freezing protocol, but appea r ineffective when frozen by direct placing at -80 degrees C.