Age has no influence on mobilization of peripheral blood stem cells in acute myeloid leukemia

The upper age limit for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is increasing and peripheral blood (PB) represents the standard source of stem cell (SC). However, no data are available on the impact of age on SC mobilization in AML. We analyzed a cohort of 150 consecutive AML patients in first complete remission in order to make a comparison between patients up to 60 years and above 60 years, by evaluating CD34+ cells mobilization into PB and the number of leukapheresis needed to collect at least one single SC graft. The successful mobilization rate (>2 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg) was comparable between the two groups (87% vs. 80%, p = 0.29). In addition, no statistically significant difference was found in terms of either median number of CD34+ cells collected (p = 0.54) or CD34+ cells peak in PB (p = 0.70). Both groups of patients needed a median of two apheresis and no difference was found in the median number of CD34+ cells collected per single apheresis (p = 0.67). Finally, no correlation was found between age and total number of CD34+ cells collected (r = 0.003, p = 0.58). We conclude that age has no impact on mobilization of PBSCs in AML.