Peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation

Peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) have become increasingly popular over the last 15 years as the source of hematopoietic stem cells for transplantation. In the early 1990s, PBPCs replaced bone marrow (BM) as the preferred source of autologous stem cells, and recently the same phenomenon is seen in the allogeneic setting. Under steady-state conditions, the concentration of PBPCs (as defined by CFU-GM and/or CD34+ cells) is very low, and techniques were developed to increase markedly this concentration. Such mobilization techniques include daily injections of filgrastim (G-CSF) or a combination of chemotherapy and growth factors. Leukapheresis procedures allow the collection of large numbers of circulating white blood cells (and PBPCs). One or two leukapheresis procedures are often sufficient to obtain the minimum number of CD34+ cells considered necessary for prompt and consistent engraftment (i.e., 2.5-5.0 x 10(6)/kg). As compared to BM, autologous transplants with PBPCs lead to faster hematologic recovery and have few, if any, disadvantages. In the allogeneic arena, PBPCs also result in faster engraftment, but at a somewhat higher cost of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). This may be a double-edged sword leading to both increased graft-versus-tumor effects and increased morbidity. The rapid advances in the study of hematopoietic, and even earlier, stem cells will continue to shape the future of PBPC transplantation.