Collection and use of peripheral blood stem cells in young children with refractory solid tumors

V Shen1, C Woodbury, R Killen

  • 1Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Orange County, Orange, CA 92668, USA.

Insights

Peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collections are safe and effective for children undergoing chemotherapy. PBSC support can improve blood count recovery in young patients receiving intensive treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
  • Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Cellular Therapy

Background:

  • Pediatric patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy often require hematopoietic stem cell support.
  • Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) are an alternative to bone marrow for transplantation.
  • Mobilization strategies using G-CSF/GM-CSF alone or with chemotherapy are used for PBSC collection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety and efficacy of peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collections in children aged 4 years or younger.
  • To assess the impact of PBSC support on hematological recovery following myeloablative and submyeloablative chemotherapy regimens.
  • To analyze PBSC collection yields and patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 44 PBSC collections from 15 children (8-46 months) with PNET/medulloblastoma, neuroblastoma, or other diagnoses.
  • PBSC mobilization using G-CSF/GM-CSF or chemotherapy plus G-CSF/GM-CSF.
  • Evaluation of hematological recovery (ANC and platelet counts) after myeloablative and submyeloablative chemotherapy with PBSC support.

Main Results:

  • PBSC collections were well tolerated in all pediatric patients.
  • Average yields were 6.80 x 10^8 mononuclear cells/kg and 57.60 x 10^6 CD34+ cells/kg.
  • Patients receiving PBSC support after myeloablative chemotherapy showed median ANC recovery by day 10 and platelet recovery by day 15.
  • Children receiving ICE chemotherapy plus PBSCs demonstrated faster ANC and platelet recovery compared to historical controls receiving ICE plus G-CSF.

Conclusions:

  • Peripheral blood stem cell collection and transplantation are safe and well-tolerated in young children and infants.
  • PBSC support can enhance hematological recovery following both myeloablative and multi-cycle submyeloablative chemotherapy.
  • This approach offers a viable strategy for supporting pediatric patients undergoing intensive cancer therapy.