Abstract
Background : In recent years there have been clear improvements in the procurement of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) for autologous transplantation, such as the description of more effective mobilization regimens and the use of CD34 monitoring to determine the appropriate time to start collection. However, currently there is no accurate method of predicting the volume of blood required to be processed by apheresis to yield the target number of CD34 + progenitor cells. Methods : This study was performed to determine whether there is a correlation between the harvested number of CD34 + cells per kilogram body weight and the 'CD34 prediction score' calculated from the concentration of CD34 + cells in the blood prior to harvest, the blood volume processed, and the patient's weight. Results : A strong correlation between the CD34 prediction score and the quantity of CD34 + cells harvested was found. This facilitated the construction of an algorithm for calculating the minimum volume of blood required to be processed by apheresis to yield the target number of CD34 + cells. Subsequent validation of the algorithm facilitated successful tailoring of the apheresis time. Discussion : The ability to accurately calculate the minimum volume of blood to be processed by apheresis to yield a target number of PBPC produces significant benefits in patient management, cost savings and equipment utilization.