The use of peripheral blood progenitor cells as an autologous hematopoietic support in high-dose chemotherapy. I. The rationale and results

Abstract

We review the rationale for PBPC transplantation and the results reported in the literature. In order to prolong complete remissions and increase cure rates, high-dose chemotherapy is frequently used in the treatment of selected neoplasias. Hematological toxicity can be overcome by the infusion of autologous hemopoietic progenitors. Recently, peripheral blood is being used as the preferred source for hemopoietic progenitors, since it allows faster hematopoietic recoveries when compared to progenitors harvested from bone marrow. An adequate graft is defined by its content in clonogenic progenitors (mainly CFU-GM) and CD34 positive cells; these two parameters need to be accurately determined by specific laboratory methods. PBPC grafts are harvested using cell separators during leukaphereses; to increase efficiency, hemopoietic progenitors are first mobilized into the circulation with growth factors and or chemotherapy. PBSC transplantation may have procedure-associated toxicity related to the mobilization, harvest or reinfusion of the graft.