Comparison of the efficiency of peripheral blood stem cell apheresis on the blood cell separators.

Background: Stem cells apheresis is a key step in the process of the autologous stem cell transplantation. Available blood cell separators (BCS) have different efficiency due to the technical characteristics and influence of the operator.

Materials And Methods: Retrospectively, data were collected of the peripheral blood stem cells apheresis performed using available BCS manufactured by Fresenius (ComTec and Amicus) in the National Cancer Institute Ukraine from 2017 to 2020. The collection efficiency coefficient (CEC) was calculated, the formula for predicting the total volume of processed blood (TVPB) was adapted for each separator.

Results: The analysis included data from 60 patients (total of 92 apheresis procedures). The mean CEC was established at the level of (53.8 ± 36.6) % for the Amicus device and (44.2 ± 37.3) % for the ComTec device; P = 0.22. The lower product volume was obtained using the Amicus device compared to the ComTec device; P = 2×10-7. The amount of collected stem cells was comparable in both groups (5.8 ± 5.7) ×106/kg and (4.1 ± 3.1) ×106/kg, respectively; P = 0.064. The adaptation of the formula for predicting the TVPB to achieve the optimum amount of stem cells was performed.

Conclusion: The CEC for each device was within the generally accepted limits of 30-50%, and did not differ significantly. Nevertheless, using of the Amicus BCS allowed to collect lower volumes of the product, maintaining other characteristics of the product competitive.