Mini-ICE effectively mobilises peripheral blood stem cells after fludarabine-based regimens in acute myeloid leukaemia.

Fludarabine-based cycles severely impair mobilisation and collection of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). In an effort of reversing this side-effect, we studied the action on mobilisation and collection of PBSC of a low-dose regimen: 5-d Mini-ICE (oral idarubicin and etoposide; subcutaneous cytosine arabinoside) administered after fludarabine-based regimens in seven adult AML patients. Leukapheresis were started when the CD34+ cell count was more than 10/microL. The median number of harvested CD34+ cells was 8.1 x 10(6)/kg (range 3.08-15.2). All the patients were successfully submitted to PBSC transplantation. Median times to neutrophil and platelet recovery were rapid with a normal transfusional support. We suggest that the Mini-ICE programme is feasible, well tolerated and effective in terms of PBSC mobilisation and collection in low-yield AML patients previously treated with fludarabine. It is well known that a negative effect on stem cell mobilisation and harvest is observed not only after fludarabine administration in AML or low-grade lymphomas, but also after cycles based on different agents, such as thalidomide in multiple myeloma. This preliminary experience, if confirmed on larger series and/or other haematological malignancies, could open new opportunities to perform autologous PBSC transplantation in heavily pretreated cases, allowing a full source of therapeutic options before the start of the mobilisation process.