Granulocyte yields using the Haemonetics 30. Effects of variations in corticosteroid regimen and donor selection

The factors of donor selection, corticosteroid drug choice, dose, timing and route of administration were studied to optimize granulocyte yield employing the Haemonetics Model 30 Blood Processor. Our data suggest that donors giving one excellent yield do not necessarily do so again. Donors with high initial granulocyte counts had only marginal increases in counts after taking corticosteroids. Selecting donors on the basis of high previous yield or granulocyte count is not a feasible strategy for improving granulocyte yields. Highest yields of granulocytes (16 X 10(9) total; 4 X 10(9)/liter processed) were obtained with any of four split-dose corticosteroid regimen. This increment is almost twice as large as the previously reported improvement using continuous-flow centrifugation. The choice of steroid, the route of administration and the timing of the split doses are not critical.