A single center comparison between three different apheresis systems for autologous and allogeneic stem cell collections.

Three different apheresis systems were used in our center for the collection of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs): COM.TEC (Fresenius Healthcare), COBE Spectra, and Spectra Optia (both from Caridian BCT). We compared 131 autologous and 56 allogeneic apheresis procedures to elucidate feasibility and effectiveness of the different systems.

α4 integrin levels on mobilized peripheral blood stem cells predict rapidity of engraftment in patients receiving autologous stem cell transplantation.

Rapidness of leukocyte engraftment in patients receiving peripheral blood stem cell transplantation is clinically important because the risk of fatal opportunistic infections increases with time to engraftment. Adhesion receptor molecules on hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have been shown to modulate homing and engraftment of HSCs. Therefore, we correlated expression levels of α4 (CD49d) and α6 (CD49f) integrins in the CD34(+) HSC compartment with time to engraftment.