Apheresis of peripheral blood stem cells in children with very low body weight: a single centre experience

Polychemotherapy, accompanied by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, can improve the results of long-term survival of patients with cancer and some non-cancer diseases. Mobilizing and collecting hematopoietic stem cells in children with very low body weight can be a difficult task. The study was approved by the Independent Ethics Committee and the Scientific Council of the Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Immunology. 19 children with extremely low body weight was included in the current study. The median age was 8 (5–14) months, the median of body weight 7.5 (5.8–8.8) kg. Apheresis was performed in an ICU, using sedative therapy and in compliance with the conditions for the prevention of anemia, hypovolemia, hypothermia. 19 hematopoietic stem cell apheresis were performed using the Spectra Optia MNC separator program. Mobilization of CD34+ cells was performed with filgrastim; three children were additionally given plerixaphor. All 19 hematopoietic stem cell apheresis were successful: the median of collected CD34+ cells was 18.7 × 106/kg (8.6– 60.6 × 106/kg), the median apheresis duration was 204 (161–351) min. Serious side effects during apheresis were not recorded, however, in 6 children (31%) we encountered difficulties in the process of installing central venous access. The collection of hematopoietic stem cells for the future high-dose chemotherapy with autologous hematopoietic stem cells is a feasible task even for very young children with extremely low body weight. Correct preparation for manipulation, taking into account all possible risk factors and technical features, can avoid serious complications.