Bone marrow processing using the fenwal CS-3000 plus blood cell separator: results of 99 procedures

BMT is used as an established therapy for patients with malignant and nonmalignant diseases. Many techniques for ex vivo treatment have been developed, but these techniques must be preceded by BM processing. We report our experience in processing 99 BM using the Fenwal CS-3000 Plus cell separator using the 1-special program. Ninety-nine procedures were performed in BM harvested from 73 patients and 26 healthy donors. The number of nucleated cells (NC), mononuclear cells (MNC), RBC, platelets, colony-forming units-granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM), CD34+ cells, relative purity of MNC and PMN, and volume were determined in the unprocessed BM and in the final product. BM processing resulted in NC, MNC, CFU-GM, and CD34+ cell recoveries of 31%, 82.2%, 117.6%, and 97.8%, respectively. RBC, PMN, platelets, and volume removal, respectively, were 96%, 92%, 37.2%, and 85.1%. In pediatric patients, the volume reduction was significantly lower than in adult patients (79.6% versus 88.8%). No other significant differences were found between pediatric and adult results. We conclude that BM processing with the Fenwal CS-3000 Plus cell separator provides a product that can undergo further ex vivo treatments or cryopreservation.