[Hematologic regeneration after high dose chemotherapy. Use of peripheral blood stem cells]

High dose chemotherapy supported by haematopoietic stem cells is increasingly used for a variety of malignancies. Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) are replacing bone marrow stem cells in autologous transplantations. In this paper we report our experiences with transplantations using PBSC with respect to haematopoietic recovery. Forty-nine patients with breast cancer and different malignant haematological diseases receiving autologous transplantations with three different sources of haematopoietic stem cells were compared for engraftment parameters. Between 1989 and 1992, 27 patients were transplanted with autologous bone marrow stem cells alone (group 1) followed by 11 patients transplanted with bone marrow stem cells and PBSC (group 2) and subsequently 11 patients transplanted with PBSC alone (group 3). The median times to achieve granulocyte level > 0.5 x 10(9)/l posttransplant were 22 days for group 1, 10 days for group 2 and 13 days for group 3. The median times to achieve platelet level > 20 x 10(9)/l unsupported posttransplant were 30 days for group 1, 16 days for group 2 and 15 days for group 3. In conclusion, haematopoietic recovery was faster in patients receiving PBSC than in a control group of 27 patients receiving bone marrow stem cells alone.