[Collection of blood stem cells and therapeutic applications]. / Collection de cellules souches sanguines et applications thérapeutiques.

ABSTRACT

Peripheral blood stem cells were collected from 50 patients with different hematological malignancies. Leukaphereses (n = 263) were performed during the marrow regeneration phase following different types of chemotherapy. The mean number of CFU-GM collected per leukapheresis was 486 x 10(4), highest levels of CFU-GM being obtained in patients who received the most intensive chemotherapy and who had not been treated previously. Twenty-five patients underwent autologous blood stem cell transplantation. Hemopoietic recovery was complete and prompt in 24 patients. Only one patient had no megakaryocytic engraftment. These findings indicate that peripheral blood stem cells may be used for autologous transplantation in leukemic patients.