Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Apheresis Processing

Modern apheresis generally results in a mononuclear cell product that is highly enriched for hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells when performed on patients who have mobilized with myeloid growth factors, CXCR4 antagonists or upon recovery from cytotoxic chemotherapy. The duration of apheresis during the days in which elevated numbers of CD34 positive cells are present in the blood depends upon the efficiency of the apheresis maneuver, the numbers of the CD34 target cell population in the blood, and the weight of the intended transplant recipient. The ability to freeze a hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) graft and subsequently thaw it while retaining viability of the hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell population has permitted routine collection of autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell grafts for treatment of patients with cancer using myeloablative doses of chemotherapy and radiation with stem cell support.