Mobilization strategies in hard-to-mobilize patients with lymphoid malignancies

Depending on definitions and patient characteristics, 5-40% of patients with lymphoid malignancies are hard-to-mobilize. Several premobilization factors such as previous chemotherapy (CT), disease, marrow infiltration and platelet count at the time of mobilization influence the efficacy of CD34(+) cell mobilization. In general, however, prediction of hard-to-mobilize patient is difficult. Postmobilization factors especially low blood CD34(+) counts are important in clinical practice as we have now ways to enhance mobilization at this point. Plerixafor combined with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) has significantly increased efficacy of remobilization in patients who have failed a previous mobilization attempt with a success rate of about 70%. Addition of plerixafor to G-CSF or more recently to a mobilization regimen consisting of CT + G-CSF is promising as blood CD34(+) counts can be increased three to fivefold to facilitate effective collection with less aphaeresis sessions. As plerixafor is expensive, development of practical algorithms for its use is important to make blood stem cell mobilization and collection more efficient in a cost-effective way. This review attempts to summarize current treatment strategies in hard-to-mobilize patients with lymphoid malignancies.