The effect of smoking on stem cell mobilization in allogeneic donors

Abstract

Introduction: It has been shown that there is an increase in the number of progenitor cells in the bone marrow after smoking cessation. Adequate number of stem cells should be given to the patients to provide sustained engraftment after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Therefore, determining the factors affecting the success of peripheral stem cell mobilization in allogenic donors is very important. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of smoking on the amount of stem cells collected after peripheral blood stem cell mobilization in allogeneic donors.Material and Method: The data of 157 allogeneic donors who were performed peripheral stem cell mobilization in our center were analyzed retrospectively. The donors were divided into 2 groups:active smokers (n:80) and non-smokers (n:77). Smokers were divided into two groups as donors who smoked <15 cigarette pack year and those who smoked ≥15 cigarette pack year.Results: The median CD34+ cell count in the peripheral blood on the 5th day before apheresis was found to be significantly lower in smokers than in non-smokers (p=0.001*). Compared to the donors who smoked <15 cigarette pack year, the median CD34+ cell count in the peripheral blood on the 5th day before apheresis was significantly lower in the donors who smoked ≥15 cigarette pack year (p=0.009*).Conclusion:During the allogeneic stem cell donor assessment, donors should be questioned for their smoking history. Smoking should be considered as a negative risk factor for peripheral stem cell mobilization, especially in the donors who smoke ≥15 cigarette pack year.