Analysis of apheresis content of progenitor cell collections from normal donors to whom granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor is administered.

BACKGROUND

Allogeneic blood cell transplantation is a new alternative to bone marrow transplantation. Preliminary data suggest that granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-mobilized peripheral blood progenitor cells from normal donors can provide rapid hematopoietic engraftment without significant increases in transplant-related morbidity. Potential advantages to donors include the elimination of an operation under general anesthesia.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Twenty-one normal donors underwent high-dose (16 pg/kg/day for 5 days) G-CSF mobilization. Apheresis was performed on the fifth and sixth days of G-CSF administration, and apheresis components were analyzed by flow cytometry. Donor characteristics in relationship to apheresis yields were also analyzed.

RESULTS

Apheresis components were analyzed according to donor weight. The median total numbers of white cells per kg, CD34+ cells per kg, and CD3+ cells per kg were 10.8 x 10(6), 7.2 x 10(8), and 295 x 10(8), respectively. Day 5 collections had significantly higher nucleated cell content and median CD34+ percentages than did Day 6 collections (0.71% on Day 5 vs. 0.58% on Day 6, p < 0.01). CD34+ content and total white cells were not related to age or sex. No donors experienced toxic effects that required their removal from the study.

CONCLUSION

Day 5 is the optimal day for the harvest of normal-donor peripheral blood progenitor cells after mobilization with high-dose G-CSF. Older individuals are acceptable donors of allogeneic progenitor cells.