Recommendations for optimized settings of the Amicus Crescendo cell separator for the collection of CD34+ progenitor...

CD34+ PBPCs for autologous transplantation purposes are collected by leukapheresis procedures on automated cell separators. In this study, the influence of different parameters on collection efficiency (CE) of the Amicus Crescendo cell separator (Baxter) was investigated.

A total of 146 PBPC collections with Amicus cell separators were performed in 56 patients with either settings recommended by the manufacturer or modified settings to identify variables that have a significant and important impact on CE.

By use of a standard setting with a cycle volume of 1400 mL, CE significantly decreases when patients' preapheresis peripheral blood WBC counts are between 25,000 and 35,000 per micro L. CE can be improved if cycle volume is reduced to 1000 mL. If WBC concentrations exceed 55,000 per micro L before apheresis, CE also significantly decreases despite of reduced cycle volume. Additionally, high flow rates greater than 60 mL per minute significantly reduce CE.

Parameters influencing the outcome of CD34+ PBPC collections were identified, such as patients' WBC count, cycle volume, and whole blood flow rate. An optimized adjustment of these variables will further increase the CE of the device.