Hematopoietic progenitor cell large volume leukapheresis (LVL) on the Fenwal Amicus blood separator

Personalized Autologous Stem Cell Harvesting Improves Patient Collection Outcomes

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to demonstrate that utilizing a personalized approach to apheresis stem cell collection, can safely optimize the collection outcomes, especially in the context of poor mobilizers and high cell targets.

BACKGROUND

The optimal mobilization and harvesting of peripheral blood stem cells is critical to the success of the stem cell transplant. The ideal strategy that promotes better cell yields, with sustainable use of resources and assuring patient safety, should be pursued.

METHODS

PBSC collections for autologous stem cell transplant data according to a fixed-processed volume strategy (One Size Fits All) or individualized to patients CD34+ peripheral blood content and target approach (Custom-Tailored or CT) were retrospectively compared.

RESULTS

A total of 263 collections from 142 patients were assessed. The majority of patients were male, had multiple myeloma and were mobilized with isolated G-CSF. The CT strategy promoted a significantly higher CD34+ cell yield when the pre-collection CD34 was lower than 20/µl (1.02 ± 0.16 versus 1.36 ± 0.23, p < 0.001) and also a decrease in the proportion of mobilization cycles that needed 3 apheresis (31% versus 14%, p = 0.02). There was no difference in apheresis-related adverse events between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Tailoring the apheresis procedures to the patient-specific characteristics and objectives, can effectively promote better patient outcome.

Comparison of hematopoietic progenitor cell collection using different inlet flow rates with the Fenwal Amicus

PURPOSE

We have used a hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) algorithm (standard [STD]) that restricted the inlet flow rate to 65 mL/min for peripheral white blood cell count (PWBC) >35 × 109 /L (STD). In this study, we evaluated a technique that allows 85 mL/min, regardless of the PWBC count (high). For patients with PWBC >35 × 109 /L, a prospective, randomized comparison of the high flow rate vs the STD PWBC-based flow rate (65 mL/min) was performed, comparing CD34+ and lymphocyte yields, collection efficiencies (CE1), mononuclear cells (MNC), and granulocytes, red blood cell (RBC), and platelet content.

METHODS

The Fenwal Amicus version 4.5 with a heparinized ACD-A anticoagulant (AC) delivered at a 26:1 AC ratio was used. Paired comparisons between high and STD techniques were assessed with Wilcoxon signed rank tests, with P < .05 considered significant. Data are summarized as medians.

RESULTS

Forty patient pairs (autologous) were compared. Diagnoses included primarily multiple myeloma (60%) and lymphoma (37.5%). High had significantly higher median average inlet rates (69 vs 55 mL/min), whole blood processed (20 vs 16 L), and cycles (15 vs 14) than STD. There were no significant differences in pre-procedure counts. Collection contents were (high/STD): 306/328 × 106 CD34+ cells, 48/59% CD34+ CE1 (significant), 0.2/0.2 × 109 /kg lymphocytes, 45/57% lymphocyte CE1, 63/59 × 109 WBC, 15/16 × 109 granulocytes, and 1.9/1.7 × 1011 platelets.

CONCLUSIONS

The simpler, standardized high flow technique did not significantly increase or decrease CD34+ cells or lymphocyte yields, but did significantly decrease CD34+ CE1. The effects on cross-cellular content were minimal and not clinically significant.

Phase 2 trial of intravenously administered plerixafor for stem cell mobilization in patients with multiple myeloma following lenalidomide-based initial therapy

Initial therapy of multiple myeloma with lenalidomide-based regimens can compromise stem cell collection, which can be overcome with the addition of plerixafor. Plerixafor is typically given subcutaneously (SQ), with collection ∼11 h later for maximum yield. Intravenous administration may allow more rapid and predictable mobilization. This trial was designed to assess the efficacy and feasibility of IV plerixafor in patients receiving initial therapy with a lenalidomide-based regimen. Patients received G-CSF at 10 μg/kg/day for 4 days followed by IV plerixafor at 0.24 mg/kg/dose starting on day 5; plerixafor was administered early in the morning with apheresis 4-5 h later. Thirty-eight (97%) patients collected at least 3 × 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg within 2 days of apheresis. The median CD34+ cells/kg after 1 day of collection was 3.9 × 10(6) (range: 0.7-9.2) and after 2 days of collection was 6.99 × 10(6) (range: 1.1-16.5). There were no grade 3 or 4 non-hematological adverse events, and one patient experienced grade 4 thrombocytopenia. The most common adverse events were nausea, diarrhea and abdominal bloating. IV plerixafor is an effective strategy for mobilization with low failure rate and is well tolerated. It offers flexibility with a schedule of early-morning infusion followed by apheresis later in the day.

Manual color monitoring to optimize hematopoietic progenitor cell collection on the Fenwal Amicus

A technique was developed to improve consistency of MNC transfers from the centrifuge to the collection bag in the Fenwal Amicus. The operator assures that RBCs completely fill the cassette by the end of the transfer by adjusting the RBC offset in succeeding cycles. We compared yields and crosscellular content before and after implementation of the monitoring technique. Retrospective data from 400 consecutive HPC collection procedures (200 for each technique) were compared. In 40 monitored collections, the RBC offset was adjusted to 6-9 mL to ensure that RBCs completely filled the cassette. Collections requiring these adjustments were not associated with a specific diagnosis. Median values were compared between the 40 collections requiring offset adjustment and those performed before implementation of monitoring. Baseline peripheral CD34+ cell (17 vs. 14 cells μL(-1)), lymphocytes (2 vs. 1.3 × 10(9) /L), WBCs, HCT, and PLTs were significantly higher in the group requiring offset changes. The group requiring offset changes had significantly more CD34+ cells per collection (190.8 × 10(6) or 2.04 × 10(6) /kg vs. 84.3 × 10(6) or 0.89 × 10(6) /kg) and more lymphocytes per collection (16.9 × 10(9) vs. 11.6 × 10(9)). Crosscellular content of the group requiring offset changes was significantly higher for WBCs (41.8 vs. 33.1 × 10(9)), granulocytes (9.6 vs. 7.2 × 10(9)), RBCs (23 vs. 17 mL), and PLTs (2.1 vs. 1.2 × 10(11)). Manual monitoring is a simple, inexpensive method to optimize each HPC collection to maximize CD34+ cell and lymphocyte yields.

SCT without growth factor in multiple myeloma: engraftment kinetics, bacteremia and hospitalization

SCT is important in the management of multiple myeloma. In the United States, the standard of care is administration of growth factors to accelerate neutrophil recovery after SCT. The need for growth factors after transplant has not been investigated recently. We analyzed a cohort of 166 patients at our institution who underwent autologous transplant for multiple myeloma without receiving growth factors after transplant and compared them with 498 patients who received standard filgrastim beginning on posttransplant day 5. A neutrophil count of 500/μL was achieved in a median of 12.5 days in patients receiving growth factor, compared with 13.5 days in those not receiving growth factor (P<0.001). Platelet engraftment was identical (median, 14.5 days; P=0.12) in both groups, despite a lower median number of CD34+ cells infused in patients who did not receive growth factors. Incidence of nonstaphylococcal bacteremia was identical in both groups. The median hospital stay was 3.5 days shorter in the group not receiving growth factor. It is feasible and reasonable to perform autologous SCT for multiple myeloma without administering growth factors.

Use of various offset settings in the Fenwal Amicus during hematopoietic progenitor cell collection to increase lymphocyte yield and reduce cross-cellular contamination

INTRODUCTION

Autologous HPC collection focus has been CD34+ cell yield but product content of other cells is important for patient survival, complications, and resource utilization.

METHODS

Prospective, paired study examining MNC and RBC offsets (opens and closes collect valve, respectively) was performed using Fenwal Amicus. Lymphocyte, CD34+ cell yields, and cross-cellular contamination were compared using different MNC/RBC offsets and retrospective Spectra data.

RESULTS

In paired comparisons, median lymphocyte yields were significantly different only between 0.0/7.0 (17.6 × 10(9)) and 1.5/5.0 (14.5 × 10(9)) offsets. CD34+ yields were not significantly different between offsets except 1.0/7.0 and 1.5/5.0 (230.3 vs. 156.7 × 10(6)). Granulocytes, RBC, and PLT were significantly greater with higher RBC offset. Comparing all offsets, 1.5/5.0 collected fewer lymphocytes, granulocytes, RBC, and PLT. 1.5/6.0 offsets collected more lymphocytes than 1.5/5.0 but fewer granulocytes and RBC than others except 1.5/5.0. For 1.5/6.0 offsets, PLT content was higher than 1.5/5.0, equivalent to the other offsets, and less than Spectra. CD34+ yields for 1.5/6.0 offsets were equivalent to others except 1.0/7.0. Manufacturer's default (2.3/6.8) collected equivalent lymphocytes and CD34+ to all offsets (except 1.0/7.0) and Spectra. Cross-cellular contamination was higher than 1.5/5.0 and 1.5/6.0 but equivalent to others with more RBC and fewer PLT than Spectra.

CONCLUSION

For maximum lymphocyte yield and minimum contamination, 1.5/6.0 offsets appear optimal. For minimum lymphocyte yield and contamination, 1.5/5.0 offsets would be preferred. Manufacturer's default has CD34+ cell and lymphocyte yields similar to 1.5/6.0 with greater contamination. Amicus can achieve lymphocyte and CD34+ yields similar to Spectra but has significantly less PLT removal.

Clinical impact and resource utilization after stem cell mobilization failure in patients with multiple myeloma and lymphoma

High-dose chemotherapy in conjunction with auto-SCT is the preferred treatment of relapsed Hodgkin disease and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Failure to achieve optimal stem cell mobilization results in multiple subsequent attempts, which consumes large amounts of growth factors and potentially requires antibiotics and transfusions. We retrospectively reviewed the natural history of stem cell mobilization attempts at our institution from 2001 to 2007 to determine the frequency of suboptimal mobilization in patients with hematologic malignancy undergoing autologous transplant and analyzed the subsequent resource utilization in patients with initially failed attempts. Of 1775 patients undergoing mobilization during the study period, stem cell collection (defined by the number of CD34+ cells/kg) was 'optimal' (> or = 5 x 10(6)) in 53%, 'low' (> or = 2-5 x 10(6)) in 25%, 'poor' (<2 x 10(6)) in 10%, and 'failed' (<10 CD34+ cells/microl) in 12%. In the 47% of collections that were less than optimal, increased resource consumption included increased use of growth factors and antibiotics, subsequent chemotherapy mobilization, increased transfusional support, more apheresis procedures, and more frequent hospitalization. This usually unappreciated resource utilization associated with stem cell mobilization failure highlights the need for more effective mobilization strategies.

Comparison of high-dose CY and growth factor with growth factor alone for mobilization of stem cells for transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma

We retrospectively analyzed outcomes of 716 patients with multiple myeloma who were mobilized using CY and growth factor (n=370) or growth factor alone (n=346) before SCT. Patients receiving CY had higher stem cell yields than the growth factor only group (median number of apheresis sessions needed to achieve stem cell collection goals, two vs four sessions, respectively (P=0.001)). However, patients treated with CY required more time for engraftment of platelets and neutrophils (P<0.001 for both). For patients receiving CY, 75% achieved engraftment (defined as a platelet count of 50 x 10(9)/l) by day 39, whereas 75% of patients not receiving CY achieved engraftment by day 18. Similar results were observed for neutrophil engraftment. These differences did not affect the duration of hospitalization, but patients treated with CY had a higher incidence of post transplant nonstaphylococcal bacteremia. For CY-mobilized patients, considerably faster platelet engraftment (5 fewer days) resulted if stem cell reinfusion occurred more than 30 days after the first apheresis session. Our data suggested that CY damaged the microenvironment and slowed engraftment. By lengthening the period between the completion of apheresis and stem cell reinfusion, the microenvironment may recover and result in faster engraftment.

Autologous stem cell transplant after heart transplant for light chain (Al) amyloid cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

Historically, patients with AL amyloidosis and overt congestive heart failure have had an ominous prognosis with median survival of approximately 6 months.

METHODS

Between 1994 and 2005, 11 patients underwent sequential orthotopic heart transplantation (HT) followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (SCT) for treatment of AL amyloidosis. Patients were accepted for this approach if they had heart-dominant AL with minimal/no other organ impairment and no evidence of multiple myeloma. Conditioning chemotherapy consisted of melphalan 200 mg/m(2) (6 patients) or melphalan 140 mg/m(2) (5 patients).

RESULTS

Two patients died of complications from the SCT (18% transplant-related mortality). Nine patients survived both the HT and the SCT. Three patients subsequently died from progressive amyloidosis at 66, 56.7 and 55 months after SCT. The 1- and 5-year survival for HT was 82% and 65%. The median survival was 76 months from HT and 57 months from SCT.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that aggressive treatment of the underlying plasma cell clone after HT may improve long-term outcomes in patients with cardiac amyloid. HT followed by SCT is feasible and offers the possibility of remission for carefully selected patients with cardiac amyloidosis.

Transplantation without growth factor: engraftment kinetics after stem cell transplantation for primary systemic amyloidosis (AL)

Stem cell transplantation is increasingly used in the management of immunoglobulin light-chain amyloidosis (AL). It is considered the standard of care to administer growth factors to accelerate neutrophil recovery after transplantation. However, unique toxicities occur with growth factor use in patients with AL who receive a stem cell transplant. We report a cohort of patients who underwent transplantation without receiving posttransplantation growth factors. In total, 282 patients received a stem cell transplant. A neutrophil count of 500/mul was achieved in 50, 75 and 90% of patients at 14, 16 and 22 days, respectively. A platelet count of 20 000/mul was achieved in 50, 75 and 90% of patients at 14, 20 and 31 days, respectively. Non-staphylococcal bacteremia was detected in 16% of patients. The median hospital stay was 9 days. It is feasible and reasonable to withhold growth factor therapy after autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with AL.

Evaluation of the COM.TEC cell separator in predicting the yield of harvested CD34+ cells

BACKGROUND

This multicenter study was performed with the intention to evaluate the exactness of the predicted CD34+ cell yield calculated by two leukapheresis programs of the cell separator COM.TEC upon the number of donor's circulating CD34+ cells and the blood volume processed.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Patients and healthy donors (n = 166) received mobilization by chemotherapy and/or granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and underwent CD34+ cell harvest by the leukapheresis programs MNC or RV-PBSC (n = 203).

RESULTS

CD34+ cells were collected by 112 harvests on MNC and by 91 collections on RV-PBSC. The median collection efficiency of CD34+ cells was significantly better for the program MNC than for RV-PBSC (p < 0.001): 67% (31-109) vs. 42% (19-100). The collected CD34+ cell yield was in median more exactly by MNC than by RV-PBSC (p < 0.001): 85% (31-176) vs. 59% (22-110) of the predicted value. Concentrates obtained by RV-PBSC showed in median significantly higher percentages of mononuclear cells (p < 0.001) and CD34+ cells (p < 0.001), 86% (43-99) vs. 56% (25-95) and 1.2% (0.2-14.3) vs. 0.4% (0.1-6.0), and had lower contaminations by erythrocytes (p < 0.001) and platelets (p < 0.001), 13 mL (4-48) vs. 25 mL (5-60) and 1.9 x 1011 vs. 3.1 x 1011, than those harvested by MNC.

CONCLUSION

The significantly better collection efficiency of CD34+ cells and the more exact prediction of the harvested CD34+ cell yield make the leukapheresis program MNC a safe and efficient procedure. However, concentrates collected by RV-PBSC are of a better cellular quality with a significantly higher percentage of mononuclear and CD34+ cells and a lower contamination by erythrocytes and platelets.

Apheresis instrument settings influence infused absolute lymphocyte count affecting survival following autologous peripheral hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: the need to optimize instrument setting and define a lymphocyte collection target

Autograft absolute lymphocyte count (A-ALC) is an independent prognostic factor for survival after autologous peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (APHSCT) for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Factors enhancing A-ALC collections are unknown. We hypothesize that apheresis instrument settings could affect A-ALC. Data from 127 NHL patients collected from 15 January 1999 to 30 July 2004 using a single apheresis instrument (COBE Spectra (SP), Baxter Amicus (AM), and CS3000 Plus (CS)) were analyzed. The primary end point of the study was to assess the correlation between apheresis instrument settings and A-ALC. The secondary end point was to determine the effect of apheresis instrument on survival post-APHSCT. Patients collected using SP achieved higher A-ALC compared to AM (with modified settings) or CS (P<0.05) and demonstrated superior overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) (P<0.03). Multivariate analysis demonstrated A-ALC and not the apheresis instrument as an independent prognostic factor for OS and PFS, cancelling the prognostic effect of the apheresis instruments observed in the univariate analysis. The survival advantage observed by SP was from the higher A-ALC collected compared to AM and CS. These data suggest that apheresis instrument settings should be optimized to collect CD34(+) cells as well as an A-ALC target, with direct impact on survival post-APHSCT.