Selection of the mobilization regimen in lymphoma patients: A retrospective cohort study.

Background And Objectives: Consolidation with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is recommended for patients with recurrent or refractory lymphoma after salvage chemotherapy. Stem cells which will be used in ASCT are provided by mobilization using granulocyte colony stimulation factor (G-CSF) or chemotherapy plus G-CSF. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of various mobilization regimens on the clinical parameters of lymphoma patients.

Materials And Methods: Mobilization interventions of lymphoma patients were analysed retrospectively. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the mobilization method implemented to collect stem cells before ASCT, (Group 1: Salvage chemotherapy plus G-CSF, Group 2: Cyclophosphamide plus G-CSF, Group 3: G-CSF alone).

Results: Analysis of CD34 cell counts of the 3 groups revealed a significant difference (p < 0.001). Although the number of CD34 cells collected were different, the neutrophil and platelet engraftment of the 3 groups were similar (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the results were similar in the separate analysis of NHL and HL patients. While the mobilization success rate in group 1 was 97.8 %, it was 90.2 % in group 3. This difference showed a certain trend towards statistical significance (p = 0.074). Patients who received DHAP plus G-CSF had a higher CD34 count, while neutrophil engraftment was shorter than with ESHAP plus G-CSF (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Although the success rate of mobilization and number of CD34 cell collected were higher in the salvage chemotherapy plus G-CSF than G-CSF alone, G-CSF alone group provided similar neutrophil and thrombocyte engraftment in most lymphoma patients.