Novel method for autologous peripheral blood stem cell harvest using highly concentrated sodium citrate solution...

As the processed blood volume increases, a larger amount of anticoagulant (AC) is required, which leads to a serious issue of fluid dilution in large-volume leukocytapheresis (defined as ≥3-fold total blood volume). We previously reported a novel method for allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell harvest (PBSCH) using highly concentrated sodium citrate (HSC; 5.32%), which shortened the procedure time and reduced the need for an AC solution without heparin. In this study, we extended this novel method to autologous PBSCH (auto-PBSCH) and compared it with patients who received auto-PBSCH using normal concentrated sodium citrate (NSC; 2.2%).

We retrospectively analyzed consecutive auto-PBSCH data obtained using the Spectra Optia continuous mononuclear cell collection mode between May 2017 and May 2025 at our institution.

Leukocytapheresis was performed using NSC in 36 patients and HSC in 22. In the HSC group, patients tended to be younger, had significantly lower body weight, and had significantly fewer hematopoietic tumors as primary diseases compared to the NSC group. After propensity score-matched cohort adjusted for patient background, the total amount of AC solution was significantly lower (694 [range, 77-1648] vs. 298 mL [range, 64-797], p = .02), and procedure time was significantly shorter (224 [range, 117-395] vs. 181 min [range, 103-309], p = .048) in the HSC group. Furthermore, the loss rates of magnesium and potassium were lower in the HSC group.

This novel leukocytapheresis method demonstrated the efficacy and safety in auto-PBSCH, while minimizing the patient burden.