Prospective study on the comparison of two apheresis systems for collecting peripheral blood stem cells

Background. In recent years, different clinical regimens of blood stem cell transplantation have been evaluated using peripheral blood stem cells (PBS C). Several types of cell separators were introduced for an efficient colle ction of PBSC. Material and Methods: In a prospective study at the Institut e of Transfusion Medicine at the Monster University Hospital, two different cell separators were compared (COBE Spectra apheresis system, software ver sion 5.1 / Fresenius AS.TEC 205 cell separator, software version 2.0.0) wit h regard to the collection of autologous peripheral blood stern cells. Pati ents: 7 patients (1 female, 6 male) with acute myeloid leukaemia (n = 2), m ultiple myeloma (n 2), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 2), testicular tumour (n 1). Parameters of the investigation: efficiency of stem cell collection (y ield/time), reduction of platelet counts and haemoglobin values during the apheresis process, product volume and ACD consumption. Results: The differe nt parameters were evaluated at the basis of an equivalent length of time o f each of the apheresis procedures. The volume of blood processed per time unit was significantly higher in the case of using the COBE Spectra apheres is system, and so was the ACD consumption. Upon comparison of yields of PBS C (CD34+ cells/kg body weight), we observed a trend in favour of a higher e fficiency in the case of the COBE Spectra apheresis system. However, this t rend did not reach statistical significance. The product volume was signifi cantly lower in case of collecting PBSC with the Fresenius cell separator s ystem than in case of using the COBE Spectra cell separator system. Carryin g out the apheresis with the Fresenius cell separator system resulted in a diminished reduction of platelet counts and haemoglobin values in the cours e of the apheresis procedure, when compared to the COBE Spectra system. Con clusion: Both cell separators are well suitable for an efficient PBSC colle ction. Differences in the blood volume processed per time unit, the consump tion of ACD, the yield of PBSC per time unit and the reduction of platelet counts and haemoglobin values allow for the individual selection of the opt imal apheresis system guided by the clinical condition of each patient.