Collection of peripheral blood stem cells from normal donors 60 years of age or older

We report 14 normal peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donors greater than or equal to 60 years of age who had cytokine mobilization followed by PBSC apheresis for allogeneic transplantation. Mobilization was achieved with filgrastim (6 mu g/kg twice dairy). Their median age was 63.5 years (range 60-77), and 43% had a positive medical history, mainly hypertension and/or cardiac problems. Their median pre-apheresis leucocyte count (x 10(9)/l) was 38.6 (range 29.6-63.4). The median apheresis yield (x 10(6) CD34(+) cells/litre blood processed, first apheresis) was 27.9 (range 1.6-54.8). The target cell dose (greater than or equal to 4 x 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg recipient) was reached with one procedure in eight (57%) donors. Filgrastim-related adverse events were acceptable and apheresis was well tolerated. When compared to younger donors (< 60 years of age), a trend to a lower CD34(+) apheresis yield and a requirement for more than one apheresis to achieve the collection target (greater than or equal to 4 x 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg) was evident. Although older (greater than or equal to 60 years) donors seem to mobilize less effectively, these data suggest that PBSC collection from them is feasible and has an acceptable shortterm safety profile.