Plerixafor as First‐ and Second‐Line Strategies for Autologous Stem Cell Mobilization in Patients with Non‐Hodgkin's Lymphoma or Multiple Myeloma

Abstract

To describe the institutional experience of plerixafor plus filgrastim as the initial peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) mobilization (first-line strategy) and as rescue therapy after failure with filgrastim plus cyclophosphamide (second-line strategy). Retrospective medical record review. Academic medical center. Thirty-three patients (median age 62 yrs) who received plerixafor between January 2008 and December 2009. We collected data on total CD34(+) cell yield and number of apheresis sessions in both first-line and second-line plerixafor recipients. Mobilization with plerixafor plus filgrastim resulted in a median yield of 8.95 × 10(6) and 2.45 × 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg in patients with multiple myeloma or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, respectively. As rescue mobilization, plerixafor plus filgrastim successfully mobilized CD34(+) cells in 16 (84%) of 19 patients. When comparing first-line plerixafor plus filgrastim therapy with second-line therapy, we found an increase in CD34(+) yield and 1 less apheresis day in patients with multiple myeloma, but no difference in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. A regimen of plerixafor plus filgrastim successfully mobilized CD34(+) cells in a median of 1 apheresis day for patients with multiple myeloma and 2 apheresis days for patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, including patients who failed initial filgrastim plus cyclophosphamide mobilization. Plerixafor plus filgrastim could be a viable first-line option in patients with multiple myeloma, as it improved CD34(+) cell yield and decreased number of apheresis days compared with second-line plerixafor plus filgrastim therapy, whereas it was comparable to second-line therapy in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.