Comparison of single day versus two-and three- day fractionated infusion of peripheral stem cells in autologous transplantation

Abstract

Bacgroun/Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the safety, difference in duration of engraftment and relapse rates between autologous transplant patients who had their stem cell infusions during a single day or multiple days. Methods: In this retrospective study the clinical data of 77 ASCT patients from a single center,30 of whom were transplanted in fractionated infusions were investigated. Duration of engraftment, side effects during the transplant, PFS and OS data of the two groups was compared. Results: There was no statistical difference between single day and fractionated infusion patients regarding neutrophil engraftment, toxic side effects, PFS, OS and relapse rate at 18 months. Platelet engraftment was delayed for one day in the fractionated group, which did not cause prolonged hospitalization. The transplant patients who had multiple day infusion had similar engraftment duration despite their lower average CD34+ cell counts. Conclusion: Fractionated infusions lead to similar engraftment duration to single day infusion for ASCT. The higher CFU cell number seen in the poorly mobilized patients may have a key role in the adequate engraftment. The fractionated infusion approach for such patients was feasible, safe and no increase of the disease relapse was observed with this procedure.