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Analysis of factors affecting PBPC collection in low-weight children with malignant disorders
J Delgado1, M C Fernandez-Jimenez, A Martinez
1Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.
Insights
Optimizing peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) collection in low-weight children requires considering diagnosis and apheresis volume alongside CD34(+) cell counts. Large-volume leukapheresis (LVL) is a safe and effective method for these pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Pediatric Oncology
- Cellular Therapy
Background:
- Peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) collection in children under 25 kg presents challenges.
- These challenges include vascular access, low blood volume, anticoagulation, side effects, and psychological distress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify clinical and technical factors influencing PBPC collection in low-weight children.
- To evaluate the impact of apheresis volume and software versions on PBPC yield.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 88 leukaphereses in 45 children weighing <=25 kg.
- Factors examined included pre-apheresis CD34(+) cell count, COBE Spectra software versions, apheresis volume (standard vs. large-volume leukapheresis - LVL), and patient diagnosis, age, weight, and sex.
Main Results:
- Multivariate analysis revealed that pre-apheresis CD34(+) cell count, patient diagnosis, and apheresis volume independently affected CD34(+) cell yield.
- Large-volume leukapheresis (LVL) was associated with higher CD34(+) cell recruitment.
Conclusions:
- Patient diagnosis and apheresis volume are critical factors for CD34(+) cell yield in pediatric PBPC collection.
- LVL is a safe and effective procedure for children <=25 kg, with mild side effects.
- AutoPBSC software can be reliably used by experienced teams for these pediatric patients.
Background:
PBPC collection in children weighing =25 kg is hampered by technical and clinical problems related to vascular access, low total blood volume, anticoagulation, side effects, and psychological impact. The aim of this study was to analyze several clinical and technical factors, other than pre-apheresis CD34(+) count, that may affect PBPC collection in these low-weight children.
Methods:
Data from 88 leukaphereses performed in 45 children were analyzed, including pre-apheresis CD34(+) cell count, COBE Spectra software (version 4.7 versus 6.0), apheresis volume [standard versus large-volume leukapheresis (LVL)] and patient's diagnosis, age, weight and sex.
Results:
The median number of PBPC collected was 6.68 mononuclear cells (MNC)x10(8)/kg (range 2.36-19.05) and 1.69 CD34(+) cellsx10(6)/kg (range 0.08-13.79). Multivariate analysis showed that factors independently associated with the CD34(+) cell yield per apheresis were pre-apheresis CD34(+) cell count (P<0.001), diagnosis (P=0.008) and apheresis volume (P=0.009). Recruitment of CD34(+) cells was also independently affected by the apheresis volume, being higher in the LVL group (P=0.008).
Discussion:
We have demonstrated that, apart from the well-known influence of the pre-apheresis CD34(+) cell count, two other factors have a major impact on the CD34(+) cell yield: patient's diagnosis and apheresis volume. In addition, taking into account that side effects were mild and tolerable, we have confirmed that LVL is a safe and effective procedure in children =25 kg, and that AutoPBSC software could be reliably used in these patients, provided that an experienced team performs the procedure.
