Liquid storage of peripheral blood progenitor cells for transplantation

Peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) were mobilised by recombinant human G-CSF (rhG-CSF) and cyclophosphamide, harvested by apheresis from 9 patients with NHL and stored at 4 degrees C without further manipulation. They were then reinfused after high-dose chemotherapy. We monitored the change in colony-forming units-granulocyte, macrophage (CFU-GM) proliferation as well as plasma glucose, lactate and pH levels over the period of the study. In an attempt to maintain CFU-GM numbers, rhG-CSF was added to storage bags at collection and 48 h later. Our observations suggest that cell viability is well maintained and that CFU-GM numbers rise over the first 48 h of storage before falling rapidly. Metabolic changes cause a fall in the pH and glucose levels with a reciprocal rise in plasma lactate. The addition of rhG-CSF at a concentration of 10 ng/ml to cells in storage showed no detectable benefit. Following storage for 96 h, 77% (SEM +/- 8%) of the initial CFU-GM remained.