Autologous transplantation of peripheral blood stem cells as an effective therapeutic approach for severe arteriosclerosis obliterans of lower extremities

Treatment of severe arteriosclerosis obliterans of lower extremities (ASOLE) remains a clinical challenge. To develop a more effective approach, we evaluated the clinical efficacy of autologous transplantation of mobilized peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) in 5 patients with ASOLE. The patients received recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF, 600 mug/day) for 5 consecutive days. On day 5, PBSCs were collected, sorted from blood circulation of patients, and then intramuscularly injected into their ischemic lower limbs. A significant improvement of clinical manifestations including severe pain, skin temperature and ulcer, was observed, without obvious adverse effect. The patient's limb was successfully saved. Satisfactory remission was obtained 3 months after transplantation as shown by significant improvement in ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI), blood flow in personal vascular laboratory (PVL), laser Doppler blood perfusion, and the angiographic scores. Our data suggest for the first time that autologous transplantation of mobilized PBSCs provides a practical, safe, and effective method of treatment for lower limb ischemia.