Donating stimulated peripheral blood stem cells vs bone marrow: do donors experience the procedures differently?

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Transplantation Immunology
• Oncology

Background:

• Increasing demand for undifferentiated stem cells for leukemia and cancer treatment necessitates improved collection methods.
• Allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donation, utilizing granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF, filgrastim) and apheresis, is a newer alternative to traditional marrow donation.
• Understanding donor experiences is crucial for optimizing stem cell collection procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the psychosocial and physical experiences of donors undergoing PBSC donation versus marrow donation.
• To evaluate donor satisfaction and identify potential barriers to second-time donations.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective questionnaire study involving 70 second-time donors from the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP).
• Participants had previously donated marrow and were categorized into PBSC (n=25) or marrow (n=45) second-time donors.
• Data collected on physical side effects, convenience, time commitment, and overall preference.

Main Results:

• Both PBSC and marrow donors reported low concern regarding physical consequences.
• PBSC donors were more likely to have postponed their second donation decision.
• PBSC donors reported fewer donation-related side effects and found marrow donation more difficult, time-consuming, and inconvenient.
• A majority of PBSC donors expressed a preference for PBSC over marrow donation.

Conclusions:

• PBSC donation is perceived as less physically demanding and more convenient than marrow donation.
• While some donors may hesitate, the overall experience and preference favor PBSC donation.
• These findings support the increasing use of PBSC donation for meeting the demand for stem cells in cancer therapy.