Stem Cell Apheresis
First, what are stem cell? Stem cells are immature cells that grow and divide into mature cells, almost any type of cell in the body. If we think of mature blood cells, stem cells can develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. The type of blood cell that a stem cell will develop into is determined by the specific needs of the patient's body, and through the stimulus of special substances called "growth factors." Stem cells can be collected from a number of sources, including the peripheral blood (a PBSC collection), bone marrow via a bone marrow harvest, fat through a liposuction methodology, and umbilical cord recovery.
In stem cell apheresis, a donor gives through blood collection, but only stem cells rather than whole blood is collected. Prior to the donation procedure, the donor receives an injection of a special type of protein, called a growth factor, which is used to stimulate the bone marrow to release stem cells into the bloodstream. Whole blood is drawn from the donor, and, in very simplistic terms, a machine that separates the blood into its components selectively removes the stem cells and returns the rest of the blood to the donor. Stem cell donors must be compatible with recipients by lymphocyte type (human leukocyte antigen, or HLA), a type of protein found on certain cells, rather than blood type. Stem cells are now used to treat people with a number of diseases including, leukemia, lymphoma, other cancers, neural diseases, spinal cord, and multiple sclerosis to name a few. The apheresis procedure described here is a major means of collecting stem cells for performing stem cell transplantation. The recipient's own stem cells can be obtained as described above, or donated stem cells obtained from blood or other sources can be given to the patient as a transplantation.
Considering peripheral blood stem cell collection (PBSC collection), the procedure is performed with a medical device called a blood cell separator, which uses a centrifuge to separate and collect mononuclear cells, including peripheral blood stem cells, from the blood. Before a PBSC collection procedure, the patient may receive a prescribed dose of chemotherapy and/or other drugs called growth factors. A common growth factor is Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (G-CSF), manufactured by Amgen under the name Neupogen®. These drugs will generally cause the release of a large number of peripheral blood stem cells into the blood stream. When the physician determines the white blood cell count has increased to a sufficient level, a series of PBSC collections will begin.
The medical staff will set the apheresis system to collect a certain type of white blood cell called a mononuclear cell or MNC. The peripheral blood stem cells will be collected with these white blood cells. It is impossible to collect only the peripheral blood stem cells.Red blood cells and platelets will be mixed with the peripheral blood stem cell product. The latest technology allows blood cell separators to accomplish all this in an automated, continuous and safe manner. Sterile tubing sets and needles in the system are used only once and then discarded.
The procedure from the patient's viewpoint is simple. Transfusion of the stem cells can either be through a catheter, or insertion of a needle. Use of a needle may cause some discomfort and may be somewhat uncomfortable for the patient given the duration of the procedure. Patients may feel some dizziness, cold or nausia during the procedure. Afterward, they may feel tired. However, there should be no lasting negative side effects. More than 25,000 PBSC procedures have been conducted every year with veryfew problems. The procedure typically requires two to four hours.
In stem cell apheresis, a donor gives through blood collection, but only stem cells rather than whole blood is collected. Prior to the donation procedure, the donor receives an injection of a special type of protein, called a growth factor, which is used to stimulate the bone marrow to release stem cells into the bloodstream. Whole blood is drawn from the donor, and, in very simplistic terms, a machine that separates the blood into its components selectively removes the stem cells and returns the rest of the blood to the donor. Stem cell donors must be compatible with recipients by lymphocyte type (human leukocyte antigen, or HLA), a type of protein found on certain cells, rather than blood type. Stem cells are now used to treat people with a number of diseases including, leukemia, lymphoma, other cancers, neural diseases, spinal cord, and multiple sclerosis to name a few. The apheresis procedure described here is a major means of collecting stem cells for performing stem cell transplantation. The recipient's own stem cells can be obtained as described above, or donated stem cells obtained from blood or other sources can be given to the patient as a transplantation.
Considering peripheral blood stem cell collection (PBSC collection), the procedure is performed with a medical device called a blood cell separator, which uses a centrifuge to separate and collect mononuclear cells, including peripheral blood stem cells, from the blood. Before a PBSC collection procedure, the patient may receive a prescribed dose of chemotherapy and/or other drugs called growth factors. A common growth factor is Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (G-CSF), manufactured by Amgen under the name Neupogen®. These drugs will generally cause the release of a large number of peripheral blood stem cells into the blood stream. When the physician determines the white blood cell count has increased to a sufficient level, a series of PBSC collections will begin.
The medical staff will set the apheresis system to collect a certain type of white blood cell called a mononuclear cell or MNC. The peripheral blood stem cells will be collected with these white blood cells. It is impossible to collect only the peripheral blood stem cells.Red blood cells and platelets will be mixed with the peripheral blood stem cell product. The latest technology allows blood cell separators to accomplish all this in an automated, continuous and safe manner. Sterile tubing sets and needles in the system are used only once and then discarded.
The procedure from the patient's viewpoint is simple. Transfusion of the stem cells can either be through a catheter, or insertion of a needle. Use of a needle may cause some discomfort and may be somewhat uncomfortable for the patient given the duration of the procedure. Patients may feel some dizziness, cold or nausia during the procedure. Afterward, they may feel tired. However, there should be no lasting negative side effects. More than 25,000 PBSC procedures have been conducted every year with veryfew problems. The procedure typically requires two to four hours.
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