Treatment of normal individuals with granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor: donor experiences and the effects on peripheral blood CD34+ cell counts and on the collection of peripheral blood stem cells

BACKGROUND: Granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been used in patients to increase the level of circulating hematopoietic progenitors. Although G-CSF has been administered to some healthy individuals, the kinetics of mobilization of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs), the optimum dose schedule and the incidence and nature of adverse reactions in normal individuals are not completely defined. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Normal individuals (n = 102) who received G- CSF for 5 or 10 days at doses of 2, 5, 7.5, or 10 micrograms per kg per day were studied. The subjects were observed for symptoms and physical changes, and blood samples were obtained for a variety of laboratory tests. After 5 or 10 days of G-CSF treatment, PBSCs were collected by apheresis and analyzed. RESULTS: Overall, 89 percent of the individuals completed the 5-day treatment protocol and 88 percent completed the 10- day protocol without modification of the dose of G-CSF administered. Ninety percent of donors experienced some side effect of G-CSF. The most frequent effects noted were bone pain (83%), headache (39%), body aches (23%), fatigue (14%), and nausea and/or vomiting (12%). The dose of G-CSF administered directly affected the proportion of people with bone pain (p = 0.025) or body aches (p = 0.045) or who were feeling hot or having night sweats (p = 0.02) or taking analgesics (p = 0.01). With the 5-day dose schedule, several changes in serum chemistries occurred, including increases in alkaline phosphatase (p = 0.001), alanine aminotransferase (p = 0.0013), lactate dehydrogenase (p = 0.0001), and sodium (p = 0.0001). Decreases occurred in glucose (p = 0.045), potassium (p = 0.0004), bilirubin (p = 0.001), and blood urea nitrogen (p = 0.0017). In donors who received G-CSF for 5 days, the absolute neutrophil count was increased after one G-CSF dose, and it reached a maximum on Day 6, as did the number of CD34+ cells (64.6 +/? 55.9 × 10(6) cells/L). In those same donors, the platelet count after apheresis on Day 6 was 32 +/? 13 percent lower than pretreatment values (250 +/? 42 × 10(9) cells/L). In donors receiving G-CSF for 10 days, the neutrophil count reached a maximum on Day 8, but the number of CD34+ cells peaked on Day 6 (58.3 +/? 52.1 × 10(5) cells/L) and then declined. The platelet count decreased from pretreatment values by 28 +/? 12 percent prior to apheresis on Day 11. When individuals were treated for 5 days with G-CSF, the quantity of CD34+ cells collected was directly related to the G-CSF dose. When 5 micrograms per kg per day was given, 2.80 +/? 1.81 × 10(8) cells were collected, compared with collection of 4.67 +/? 3.11 × 10(8) cells when 10 micrograms per kg per day was given (p = 0.04). More important, PBSCs collected after 10 days of G-CSF administration (5 micrograms/kg/day) had significantly fewer CD34+ cells (0.82 +/? 0.37 × 10(8) cells, p = 0.01) than did PBSCs collected after 5 days of G-CSF (5 micrograms/kg/day). CONCLUSION: Most normal donors receiving G-CSF experience side effects, but these are mild to moderate in degree. Some alterations in blood chemistries occur, but none were clinically serious. Because of the symptoms associated with G-CSF, these individuals must be monitored closely. The treatment of normal donors with G-CSF for more than 5 days significantly decreased the number of circulating CD34+ cells and the quantity collected by apheresis.     

重组人G-CSF对健康供者外周造血干／祖细胞动员和采集效果的影响因素分析

应用重组人粒系集落刺激因子（rhG—CSF）对健康供者进行动员并采集造血干细胞用于异基因外周血造血干细胞移植已在临床广泛应用，本研究通过对影响外周干细胞动员和采集效果的多因素分析，进一步探讨最佳动员方案及采集时机。采取回顾性方法分析了431例健康供者外周血干细胞动员采集效果，并进一步分析了供者一般特征、rhG—CSF动员天数、每日皮下注射次数、剂量与采集效果的关系。结果表明：rhG—CSF在动员中平均应用剂量为5．7μg／（kg·d），平均采集1．7次，收获单个核细胞数平均为9．57×10^8／kg，CD34^＋细胞平均为4．91×10^6／kg。绝大多数供者不良反应轻微。多因素分析结果显示，采集效率主要与供者体重指数，采集天数相关。rhG—CSF动员第5天采集的供者，其MNC数、CD34^＋细胞数及第一次单采成功率均优于其他时间采集的供者。同时，本组供者应用rhG—CSF剂量较小且剂量范围较窄，rhG—CSF剂量不如采集时间对采集物质量的影响明显。结论：小剂量应用rhG—CSF动员并于第5天开始采集是健康供者造血干细胞动员的较理想方案。     

Donor tolerance and results of stimulation with G-CSF alone or in combination with dexamethasone for the collection of granulocytes

Stimulation of healthy granulocyte donors allows the collection of therapeutic doses of granulocytes. The stimulation with G-CSF alone was compared with G-CSF plus dexamethasone. Blood samples were drawn at baseline, at leukapheresis, and at follow-up visit. Donors answered a questionnaire to evaluate side effects of the stimulation regimen. The combination of G-CSF and dexamethasone resulted in higher WBC count than G-CSF alone (39.4 +/- 7.8 vs. 34.8 +/- 8.3/nl). Glucose (136 +/- 45 mg/dl) and lactate dehydrogenase (195 +/- 38) increased significantly after stimulation with G-CSF plus dexamethasone but returned to baseline levels at the follow-up visit. Generally, stimulation was well tolerated by the donors. A higher rate of mild bone pain and headache was experienced in donors stimulated with G-CSF plus dexamethasone than in donors receiving G-CSF alone. Fatigue and myalgia were reported at similar rates in both groups. A high proportion of the donors stated that they would accept a further stimulation and granulocyte donation. At the follow-up visit, blood counts and chemistry had returned to normal values.     

Combined administration of G-CSF and dexamethasone for the mobilization of granulocytes in normal donors: optimization of dosing

BACKGROUND: The clinical utility of neutrophil (polymorphonuclear leukocyte, PMN) transfusion therapy has been compromised, in part, by the inability to obtain sufficient quantities of functional neutrophils from donors. Mobilization of PMNs in the peripheral blood of normal volunteers has been shown to be superior when G-CSF is administered in conjunction with dexamethasone to that when either agent is administered alone. The current study was conducted to determine the optimal dosages of G-CSF and dexamethasone to be administered to donors in a granulocyte transfusion program. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Five normal subjects were randomly assigned to each of the following single-dose regimens over five consecutive weeks: 1) subcutaneous (SC) G-CSF at 600 microg and oral (PO) dexamethasone at 8 mg; 2) SC G-CSF at 450 microg and PO dexamethasone at 8 mg; 3) SC G-CSF at 450 microg and PO dexamethasone at 12 mg; 4) SC G-CSF at 450 microg; and 5) PO dexamethasone at 12 mg. Venous blood was collected at 0, 6, 12, and 24 hours after drug administration for determination of absolute neutrophil count (ANC). Side effects of drug administration were recorded by using a standardized symptom questionnaire. RESULTS: Maximal ANC was achieved at 12 hours after administration of drugs under each regimen. All four regimens containing G-CSF caused greater than 10-fold increases in the ANC. When administered in conjunction with dexamethasone, G-CSF resulted in statistically similar PMN mobilization at dosages of 450 microg and 600 microg. The combined single-dose regimen of SC G-CSF at 450 microg and PO dexamethasone at 8 mg increased the mean ANC from a baseline value of 2800 per microL to 37,900 per microL at 12 hours after administration. This regimen was well tolerated by the normal volunteers. CONCLUSION: In a single-dose format designed for clinical granulocyte transfusion programs, optimal PMN mobilization can be achieved in normal donors with a combined regimen of SC G-CSF at 450 microg, and PO dexamethasone at 8 microg.     

A comparative trial of granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor and dexamethasone, separately and in combination, for the mobilization of neutrophils in the peripheral blood of normal volunteers

BACKGROUND: The clinical utility of polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) transfusion therapy has been compromised, in part, by the inability to obtain sufficient quantities of functional neutrophils from donors. To define the optimal conditions for mobilization of PMNs in granulocyte donors, the effects of granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and dexamethasone, separately and in combination, on PMN counts in normal volunteers were compared. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Five normal subjects were randomly assigned to each of the following single-dose regimens in 5 consecutive weeks: 1) G-CSF, 300 micrograms given subcutaneously; 2) G-CSF, 600 micrograms subcutaneously: 3) dexamethasone, 8 mg given orally; 4) G-CSF, 300 micrograms subcutaneously, plus dexamethasone, 8 mg orally; and 5) G-CSF, 600 micrograms subcutaneously, plus dexamethasone 8 mg orally. Venous blood was collected at 0, 6, 12, and 24 hours after drug administration for the determination of absolute neutrophil counts (ANCs). RESULTS: Maximal ANC was achieved at 12 hours after each regimen, except dexamethasone alone (maximum, 24 hours). Dexamethasone significantly increased the maximal ANC induced by either dose of G-CSF alone (p < 0.05). The greatest mobilization of PMNs occurred after the administration of G-CSF (600 micrograms) and dexamethasone (8 mg); the ANC increased from a mean baseline value of 3,594 per microL to 43,017 per microL at 12 hours. All of the drug regimens were well tolerated. CONCLUSION: Dexamethasone significantly increases the level of neutrophilia induced in normal subjects by G-CSF. The combination of dexamethasone and G-CSF (at the dosages used in this study) is a convenient, well-tolerated regimen for the mobilization of PMNs in the peripheral blood of granulocyte donors. Moreover, the optimal quantitative yield of PMNs is likely to be achieved by leukapheresis 12 hours after drug administration.     

单中心191例健康供者应用G-CSF动员造血干细胞的影响因素分析

本研究旨在探讨粒细胞集落刺激因子（G-CSF）动员外周血造血干细胞的影响因素及对健康供者的影响。181例志愿健康供者应用G-CSF5-10μg/（kg·d）动员,10例应用G-CSF3．3-4．9μg/（kg·d）动员,12h1次,连续动员4-5d;采集、检测外周血中单个核细胞（MNC）数与CD34＋细胞数,并观察供者动员及采集过程中的不良反应。结果表明,与动员前相比,动员后（采集前）供者外周血白细胞数平均升高7倍（P〈0．01）;血小板数明显下降（P〈0．01）;血红蛋白含量无明显差异性。动员第4或5天采集效果无差异。男性供者采集的MNC、CD34＋细胞数高于女性（P〈0．01）,高体重供者采集的MNC、CD34＋数高于低体重供者,年龄对采集效果无明显影响。G-CSF剂量与采集效果无线性关系。供者不良反应轻微。结论：G-CSF可以有效动员外周血造血干细胞,供者无明显的不良反应。     

The determinants of granulocyte yield in 1198 granulocyte concentrates collected from unrelated volunteer donors mobilized with dexamethasone and granulocyte–colony-stimulating factor: a 13-year experience

BACKGROUND: The combination of granulocyte–colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF [filgrastim]) and dexamethasone (G-CSF/dex) is an effective granulocyte mobilization regimen, but the variables that affect donor neutrophil response and granulocyte collection yield are not well characterized.
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A computerized database containing records of 1198 granulocyte collections from 137 unrelated volunteer apheresis donors during a 13-year period was retrospectively analyzed. Donors were categorized by age, sex, and cumulative number of granulocyte donations. Complete blood counts at baseline and after G-CSF/dex stimulation were recorded. The outcome variables include the preprocedure absolute neutrophil count (preANC), which reflects G-CSF/dex stimulation, and the granulocyte product yield per liter processed (BagGranYield/L).
RESULTS: Higher baseline ANC and platelet (PLT) counts were significantly associated with higher preANC while a larger number of prior granulocytapheresis procedures was associated with lower preANC. Total filgrastim dose (used in weight-based dosing) did not significantly impact preANC or the granulocyte yield; weight-based dosing at 5 µg per kg and a uniform 480-µg dose produced equivalent preANC. PreANC and weight were the key determinants of granulocyte yield (BagGranYield/L).
CONCLUSION: Apheresis donors with higher baseline PLT counts and ANCs have higher ANCs after G-CSF/dex stimulation; donor age, weight, and sex do not have a significant impact. A uniform G-CSF dose of 480 µg is as effective as weight-based dosing at 5 µg per kg. Donor ANC monitoring should be considered after serial granulocytapheresis procedures.     

Expression of neutrophil antigens after 10 days of granulocyte-colony- stimulating factor

BACKGROUND: Granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is becoming the standard agent for mobilizing granulocytes. Most granulocyte donors are given a single dose of G-CSF, but in some cases they are given G- CSF for several days, and multiple granulocyte concentrates are collected. The administration of a single dose of G-CSF induces several changes in the expression of neutrophil antigens, but the effects of multiple daily doses of G-CSF are not known. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Seven healthy people received 5 microg per kg of G-CSF for 10 days. Their expression of several neutrophil antigens before, during, and after the administration of G-CSF was analyzed through the use of flow cytometry. RESULTS: The expression of L-selectin (CD62L), Fcgamma receptor (FcgammaR) III (FcgammaRIII, CD16), and the leukocyte function antigen (CD11a) decreased throughout the course of G-CSF administration, while the expression of FgammaR I (FcgammaRI, CD64) and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein receptor (CD14) increased. The expression of FcgammaR II (FcgammaRII, CD32) also increased, but not until the fourth day of G-CSF administration. The expression of amino peptidase N (CD13), C3bi receptor (CD11b), and the neutrophil beta2 integrin unit (CD18) did not change during the administration of G-CSF, but that of both CD13 and CD18 increased 3 days after the last dose. The expression of neutrophil-specific antigen NB1 initially increased, returned to pre-G-CSF levels after 4 days, and then increased again after 10 days of G-CSF administration. CONCLUSION: Changes in the expression of several neutrophil antigens occurred throughout a 10-day course of G-CSF Most of the changes occurred after one dose, but additional changes occurred later in the 10-day course and after its completion. These changes may affect the function of G-CSF-mobilized granulocytes.     

Changes in blood counts after the administration of granulocyte-colony- stimulating factor and the collection of peripheral blood stem cells from healthy donors

BACKGROUND: After the collection of granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-mobilized peripheral blood stem cells from healthy donors, the donor platelet counts fall. However, the magnitude and duration of this decrease are not known. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Sixty healthy people were given G-CSF (5, 7.5, or 10 micrograms/kg/day) for 5 days (Days 1–5), and 1 peripheral blood stem cell component was collected on Day 6. The platelet count, white cell count, absolute neutrophil count, hematocrit, and red cell count were measured before administration of G-CSF (Day 0), before collection of peripheral blood stem cells on Day 6, and on Days 8, 10, 13, 16, and 20. RESULTS: The platelet count fell from 261 +/? 47 × 10(9) cells per L on Day 0 to 159 +/? 30 × 10(9) cells per L on Day 8 (p < 0.0001) and reached its lowest level on Day 10 (146 +/? 30 × 10(9)/L; p < 0.001). Compared to Day 0 levels, the platelet count was lower on Day 13 (185 +/? 49 × 10(9)/L, p < 0.001), was the same on Day 16 (270 +/? 53 × 10(9)/L), and was greater on Day 20 (333 +/? 60 × 10(9)/L, p < 0.0001). The white cell count returned to pretreatment values on Day 13, and the absolute neutrophil count returned to pretreatment values on Day 10 (Day 0 white cell count = 6.05 +/? 1.59 × 10(9)/L and Day 0 absolute neutrophil count = 3.97 +/? 1.52 × 10(9)/L). On Day 20, both were less than pretreatment values (white cell count = 5.14 +/? 1.24 × 10(9)/L, p = 0.0007 and absolute neutrophil count = 3.20 +/? 1.24 × 10(9)/L, p = 0.0036). The red cell counts on Day 16 (4.52 +/? 0.41 × 10(12)/L) and Day 20 (4.42 +/? 0.39 × 10(12)/L) were less than Day 0 values (4.73 +/? 0.43 × 10(12)/L, p = 0.008 and p < 0.0001, respectively). The hematocrit on Day 20 (39.2 +/? 3.2%) was also less than that on Day 0 (41.2 +/? 4.8%; p = 0.01). The changes in these blood counts were not affected by the dose of the G-CSF. CONCLUSION: After stimulation with granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor and the collection or peripheral blood stem cells, the platelet counts in normal donors were decreased for at least 7 days (Days 6–13). Two weeks after collection of peripheral blood stem cells (Day 20), platelet production was increased, but the production of neutrophils and red cells was decreased. If two or more peripheral blood stem cell components are collected, then the platelet count should be measured after the second and subsequent collections. Further studies on the long-term effect of G-CSF on blood counts are needed.     

Transient respiratory disturbance by granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor administration in healthy donors of allogeneic peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation

BACKGROUND: Allogeneic peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) transplantation requires granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) administration to mobilize PBPCs in healthy donors. The effects of G-CSF on pulmonary functions, however, have not been clearly elucidated in PBPC donors. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Respiratory status by measurements of arterial blood gas was prospectively evaluated serially in 25 healthy donors (9 men, 16 women; age, 18-61 years) administered a dose of 10 microg per kg for 5 days. RESULTS: White blood cell (WBC) counts increased in all the subjects after G-CSF administration; means on Days 0, 3, and 5 were 6 x 10(9), 33.4 x 10(9), and 33.6 x 10(9) per L, respectively. The mean PaO(2) values on the respective days were 93.1, 85.8, and 81.8 mmHg, and these changes were significant (p < 0.0001), remaining significant after adjustment for the WBC count. Levels of both PaCO(2) and AaDO(2) were significantly higher after G-CSF administration than those before G-CSF administration (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0004, respectively). SaO(2) was significantly decreased after G-CSF administration (p = 0.0002). Age was identified as a significant predictive factor for the increase of AaDO(2) and PaO(2) decline. These observations clearly indicate that the gas exchange was significantly affected during G-CSF administration in healthy PBPC donors. CONCLUSION: Considering an increasing use of PBPC mobilization by G-CSF, careful monitoring of the respiratory status is important to ensure safety of PBPC donors, especially elderly donors.     

Granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor-mobilized prophylactic granulocyte transfusions given after allogeneic peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation result in a modest reduction of febrile days and intravenous antibiotic usage

BACKGROUND: It was hypothesized that transfusion of two granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-mobilized prophylactic granulocyte components into allogeneic peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) transplant patients during the regimen-related neutropenic interval would result in clinical benefit. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: HLA-matched sibling PBPC donors (n=151) were biologically randomized based on ABO mismatch to donate granulocyte components (Cohort G) or not donate granulocytes (control group, Cohort C). ABO-matched donors who did not meet other study-specific criteria were reassigned to Cohort C. RESULTS: Feasibility, defined as the proportion of ABO-matched donors who underwent granulocyte collections, was 42 percent (53 of 125). The percentage of patients who developed fever during the initial hospitalization was greater in Cohort C versus Cohort G (82.7% vs. 64.2%; p=0.03). In the interval from when granulocyte transfusions were initially given in Cohort G (Day +3 or Day +5) until neutrophil engraftment, the number of febrile days was less in Cohort G versus Cohort C (median, 0 vs. 1; Mann-Whitney p=0.003). The median number of days of intravenous antibiotics given during the initial hospitalization was less in Cohort G versus Cohort C (9 vs. 11; Mann-Whitney p=0.03), a difference accounted for in the interval from Day +3 or Day +5 to neutrophil recovery. There was no significant difference in length of the initial hospital stay, acute graft-versus-host disease rates, or 100-day survival between the two cohorts. CONCLUSION: This prospective study demonstrates a modest, but significant, benefit of G-CSF-mobilized HLA-matched prophylactic granulocyte transfusions in neutropenic allogeneic PBPC recipients.     

Detection of free hepatitis C virus core antigen by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is not suitable for screening of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-mobilized hematopoietic progenitor donors

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that hepatitis C virus (HCV) can be detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients who are negative for the presence of anti-HCV and serum HCV RNA. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of HCV viremia in granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) mobilized peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) donors by the use of a free HCV core antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 28 samples from consecutive PBPC donors that were mobilized with G-CSF, and 13 samples from patients presenting with leukocytosis of greater than 20 x 10(9) per L from other causes, were tested by a free HCV core antigen ELISA. Positive samples were confirmed by use of neutralization assays. The specificity of the assay was studied in 48,911 healthy blood donors negative for the presence of anti-HCV. RESULTS: The free HCV core antigen assay showed a 46.4 percent positivity in PBPC donors mobilized with G-CSF and 61.5 percent in patients exhibiting leukocytosis in the absence of G-CSF treatment. All the samples were found to be false-positive samples, and those related with growth factor treatment did not react when G-CSF was discontinued. Overall specificity by the test in freshly collected blood donor specimens was 99.62 percent. CONCLUSION: Data indicate that the free HCV core antigen ELISA is not a valid test in diagnosing HCV infection in G-CSF-treated PBPC donors. Moreover, false-positive results of this test on blood donors might be indicative of elevated white blood cell numbers. The low specificity of this assay in the PBPC mobilization setting suggests that molecular assays should be the test of choice in the screening of G-CSF-treated donors.     

Ten-year follow-up of unrelated volunteer granulocyte donors who have received multiple cycles of granulocyte–colony-stimulating factor and dexamethasone

BACKGROUND: The combination of granulocyte–colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and dexamethasone is an effective granulocyte mobilization regimen. The short-term side effects of G-CSF are well studied, but the potential long-term effects of repeated G-CSF stimulation in unrelated volunteer granulocyte donors have not been reported.
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Donors who had received G-CSF three or more times for granulocytapheresis between 1994 and 2002 were identified and attempts were made to contact them if they were no longer active donors. They were matched with control platelet (PLT) donors for sex, age, and approximate number of cytapheresis donations. A health history was obtained and complete blood counts (CBCs) and C-reactive protein (CRP) determined where feasible.
RESULTS: Ninety-two granulocyte donors were identified, and 83 of them were contacted. They contributed to 1120 granulocyte concentrates, or a mean of 13.5 granulocytapheresis procedures per donor (and a mean of 87.5 plateletpheresis procedures per donor). There was no difference in CBCs between the granulocyte donors and the control PLT donors. There was no difference in CRP between the two groups, and no difference in pre- and post–G-CSF CRP in a subset of 22 granulocyte donors. Predefined health events included malignancies, coronary artery disease, and thrombosis. At a median 10-year follow-up, there were seven such events in the granulocyte donors and five in the PLT donors.
CONCLUSION: Although the number of granulocyte donors studied is small and continued surveillance of healthy individuals after G-CSF is prudent, our data suggest that G-CSF/dexamethasone stimulation appears to be safe.     

Peripheral Blood Allogeneic Stem Cell Mobilization: Can We Predict a Suboptimal Mobilization?

Allogeneic peripheral blood stem cells mobilization is now the basis of most stem cell transplants. In a very limited number of cases, mobilization is suboptimal leading to further collection procedures, to suboptimal cell doses infusion with delayed engraftment time, increased risks of transplant procedure and of related costs. To date we have no recognized and shared criteria for early estimating the probability of poor mobilization in healthy donors. We then analyzed allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell donations performed at the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A.Gemelli IRCCS Hospital from January 2013 to December 2021 in order to identify premobilization factors associated with successful mobilization. The following data were collected: age, gender, weight, complete blood cell count at baseline, G-CSF dose, number of collection procedures, CD34+ cell count in peripheral blood on the first day of collection, CD34+ cell dose per kg body weight of recipient. Mobilization efficacy was defined according to the number of CD34+ cells in peripheral blood on day +5 of G-CSF administration. We classified donors as sub-optimal mobilizers or good mobilizers according to the achievement of the 50 CD34+ cell/μL threshold. We observed 30 suboptimal mobilizations in 158 allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell donations. Age and baseline white blood cell count were factors significantly associated with negative or positive impact on mobilization, respectively. We did not find significant differences in mobilization based on gender or G-CSF dose. Using cut-off values of 43 years and 5.5×10⁹/L WBC count, we built a suboptimal mobilization score: donors who reach 2, 1 or 0 points have a 46%, 16% or 4% probability of suboptimal mobilization, respectively. Our model explains 26% of the variability of mobilization confirming that most of the mobilization magnitude depends on genetically determined factors; however, suboptimal mobilization score is a simple tool providing an early assessment of mobilization efficacy before G-CSF administration begins in order to support allogeneic stem cells selection, mobilization and collection. Through a systematic review, we looked for confirmation of our findings. According to the published articles, all the variables we included in our model are confirmed to be strongly related to the success of mobilization. We believe that score system approach could be applied in clinical practice to assess the risk of mobilization failure at baseline allowing for a priori intervention.     

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor administration: adverse events

Recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been in clinical use for approximately 2 decades. In healthy donors, it has been used to mobilize peripheral blood progenitor cells for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and granulocytes for apheresis collection. In patients, it has been used to decrease the duration of neutropenia after chemotherapy and to offset the neutropenia due to myelodysplasia, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, and genetic disorders of granulocyte production. As the number of uses of G-CSF in clinical practice grows, more side effects of this generally safe pharmaceutical agent are being recognized. Our objective in this article is to provide an in-depth review of the reported adverse events associated with the use of G-CSF.     

Granulocyte collection efficiency and yield are enhanced by the use of a higher interface offset during apheresis of donors given granulocyte- colony-stimulating factor

BACKGROUND: Trials evaluating granulocyte transfusions for therapy of febrile neutropenia demonstrated mixed clinical results, which may in part be due to the low neutrophil cell dose of the transfused components. To optimize the latter variable, the effect of various interface offset (IO) settings during apheresis on granulocyte collection efficiency (GCE) and yield was determined in normal donors given granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Seventeen donors underwent 44 granulocyte collections performed with a continuous-flow blood cell separator with hetastarch infusion after stimulation with G-CSF (5 μ/kg/day). Apheresis was performed alternatively using one of three IO settings: IO = 15 (Group 1, n = 16), IO = 25 (Group 2, n = 12), and IO = 35 (Group 3, n = 13). The GCE and yield and changes in donor platelet count, hematocrit (Hct), and red cell (RBC) volume of the components were compared among the three groups. RESULTS: The mean GCE was greater (p = 0.006) during apheresis at an IO setting of 35 (60 ± 12%) than at an IO setting of 15 (40 ± 17%). The mean granulocyte yield (×10¹⁰ per procedure was 10.8 ± 2.95 at an IO setting of 35 and 7.73 ± 4.02 at an IO setting of 15 (p = 0.08). In a multivariate linear regression model, factors independently associated with granulocyte yield were the absolute granulocyte count (r = 0.73, p < 0.001) and blood volume of the donor (r = 0.54, p = 0.001) before the procedure and the use of an IO setting of 35 (r = 0.50, p = 0.002). There was no significant difference among the three groups in the decrement in donor platelet count or Hct with apheresis, although the mean RBC volume was greater in Group 3. CONCLUSION: Granulocyte apheresis at an IO setting of 35 rather than 15 resulted in a significant increase in the GCE. The use of an IO setting of 35 during apheresis was an independent factor associated with granulocyte yield in the multivariate model. Donor safety was not compromised by collecting granulocytes at the higher IO setting.     

Collection efficiency on the fenwal CS3000 when using filgrastim (recombinant methionyl human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor) as a peripheral blood stem cell mobilization agent

The collection efficiency (CE) of the Fenwal CS3000 in collecting peripheral blood stem cells during post-chemotherapy recovery phase ranges from 58% to 73%. Recently filgrastim (recombinant methionyl human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor [G-CSF]) has also been shown to be effective as a mobilization agent although mobilization occurs during elevated and not low normal leukocyte counts. We compared the mononuclear cell (MNC) CE and the myeloid progenitor cell (CFU-GM) CE among 11 patients with G-CSF mobilization (33 procedures) and 19 patients during recovery following myelosuppression chemotherapy (93 procedures). Pre-apheresis leukocyte, neutrophil, MNC, and PB CFU-GM counts were significantly higher in the G-CSF group, while the granulocyte percentage in the apheresis products was similar in both groups. Both MNC CE (81.8 ± 4.5% vs. 64 ± 2.4%) and CFU-GM CE (79.5 ± 10.5% vs. 55.8 ± 3.5%) were higher in the G-CSF group. Only the pre-apheresis MNC count showed an independently significant correlation for both CE (P <.001). The higher CE in the G-CSF group can only be partly explained by a rise in MNC count during apheresis. These data suggest that the blood cell separator works better with leukocytosis, and especially with a higher MNC count. The improvement in CE is another benefit of G-CSF mobilization over chemotherapy mobilization. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

亲缘与非亲缘供者造血干细胞动员和采集的安全性比较

本研究对捐献骨髓及外周造血干细胞的健康亲缘供者及只捐献外周造血干细胞的非亲缘供者,在造血干细胞动员和采集的安全性方面进行比较。对2005年9月至2006年8月在北京大学人民医院血液病研究所提供异基因造血干细胞的亲缘供者100例及2003年11月至2007年12月在中国造血干细胞捐献者资料库北京管理中心登记的非血缘供者71例,在造血干细胞动员、采集及采集后1、3、6个月及每年进行了评估。对血常规指标、不良反应等进行观察记录,并对随访期间的长期不良反应及生活质量进行了问卷调查。结果显示：亲缘供者提供的骨髓＋外周血干细胞总MNC剂量为6．70（4．11—12．23）×10^8／kg,总CD34^＋细胞剂量为3．40（1．61—13．57）×10^6／kg：非亲缘供者提供的外周血干细胞总MNC剂量为6．69（3．35-11．48）×10^8／kg,总CD34^＋细胞剂量为3．50（1．15—11．60）×10^6／kg。动员时的常见副作用为骨痛,在亲缘供者的发生率为47％,在非亲缘供者的发生率为43．7％,两组之间无显著性差异;采集时的常见副作用为感觉异常（口唇和四肢）,在亲缘供者的发生率为25％,在非亲缘供者的发生率为29．6％,两组之间无显著性差异;所有供者对副作用皆可耐受,没有供者因为不能耐受而中断采集。亲缘供者由于骨髓和外周血的采集,其血红蛋白水平低于非亲缘供者[（125．8±20．2）g／L vs（143．2±20．1）g／L]（P〈0．05）。非亲缘供者由于外周干细胞采集多为2次,其血小板计数低于亲缘供者[（126．2±57．2）×10^9／L vs（162．4±72．9）×10^9／L]（P〈0．05）。在长期随访中,亲缘供者与非亲缘供者的血常规检查结果比较无显著性差异,无长期的不良反应,健康状况良好。结论：亲缘与非亲缘供者进行造血干细胞采集都是安全可行的。术前进行完备的检查,术中仔细操作、严密观察,及术后长期随访对于供者的安全有重要的意义。     

Blood center perspective of granulocyte transfusions: Future applications

The role of the blood bank in provision of an optimal granulocyte concentrate is discussed. The importance of the granulocyte dose is emphasized, and recent developments permitting the collection of larger numbers of cells are reviewed. In particular, the administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor to normal donors has been reported to result in dramatically increased neutrophil yields. Recent data has also suggested that increased efficiencies of collection can be realized by the use of hetastarch as the red cell sedimenting agent.     

'In vivo' time course of plasma myeloperoxidase levels after granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-induced stem cell mobilization

Administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is widely used for harvesting an adequate number of CD34+ stem cells by leukapheresis in normal donors. G-CSF is the most established agent for the mobilization of stem cells in current clinical practice, because it has been proven to be superior to any other agent tested to date in terms of not only mobilization capacity, but also of tolerance. However, although regulatory and accrediting agencies have provided guidelines to protect donors, the short- and long-term side effects of G-CSF need to be further studied. In this study, we evaluated the time course of plasma myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels measured in a group of donors given recombinant human G-CSF (rHuG-CSF) at different intervals: (i) before starting rHuG-CSF administration, (ii) on day 5 of rHuG-CSF administration, (iii) on the same day soon after the end of the first leukapheresis procedure and (iv) 1 week after rHuG-CSF withdrawal. Plasma MPO levels significantly increased in the donors after 5 days of rHuG-CSF treatment, returning to the baseline values within 7 days following rHuG-CSF withdrawal. These findings may contribute to a better understanding of G-CSF safety profile in stem cell donors.