| First, what are stem cell? Stem cells are | | | | (PBSC collection), the procedure is performed |
| immature cells that grow and divide into mature | | | | with a medical device called a blood cell separator, |
| cells, almost any type of cell in the body. If we | | | | which uses a centrifuge to separate and collect |
| think of mature blood cells, stem cells can develop | | | | mononuclear cells, including peripheral blood stem |
| into red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. | | | | cells, from the blood. Before a PBSC collection |
| The type of blood cell that a stem cell will develop | | | | procedure, the patient may receive a prescribed |
| into is determined by the specific needs of the | | | | dose of chemotherapy and/or other drugs called |
| patient's body, and through the stimulus of special | | | | growth factors. A common growth factor is |
| substances called "growth factors." Stem cells can | | | | Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (G-CSF), |
| be collected from a number of sources, including | | | | manufactured by Amgen under the name |
| the peripheral blood (a PBSC collection), bone | | | | Neupogen®. These drugs will generally cause the |
| marrow via a bone marrow harvest, fat through | | | | release of a large number of peripheral blood |
| a liposuction methodology, and umbilical cord | | | | stem cells into the blood stream. When the |
| recovery. | | | | physician determines the white blood cell count |
| In stem cell apheresis, a donor gives through | | | | has increased to a sufficient level, a series of |
| blood collection, but only stem cells rather than | | | | PBSC collections will begin. |
| whole blood is collected. Prior to the donation | | | | The medical staff will set the apheresis system to |
| procedure, the donor receives an injection of a | | | | collect a certain type of white blood cell called a |
| special type of protein, called a growth factor, | | | | mononuclear cell or MNC. The peripheral blood |
| which is used to stimulate the bone marrow to | | | | stem cells will be collected with these white blood |
| release stem cells into the bloodstream. Whole | | | | cells. It is impossible to collect only the peripheral |
| blood is drawn from the donor, and, in very | | | | blood stem cells.Red blood cells and platelets will |
| simplistic terms, a machine that separates the | | | | be mixed with the peripheral blood stem cell |
| blood into its components selectively removes the | | | | product. The latest technology allows blood cell |
| stem cells and returns the rest of the blood to | | | | separators to accomplish all this in an automated, |
| the donor. Stem cell donors must be compatible | | | | continuous and safe manner. Sterile tubing sets |
| with recipients by lymphocyte type (human | | | | and needles in the system are used only once |
| leukocyte antigen, or HLA), a type of protein | | | | and then discarded. |
| found on certain cells, rather than blood type. | | | | The procedure from the patient's viewpoint is |
| Stem cells are now used to treat people with a | | | | simple. Transfusion of the stem cells can either be |
| number of diseases including, leukemia, lymphoma, | | | | through a catheter, or insertion of a needle. Use |
| other cancers, neural diseases, spinal cord, and | | | | of a needle may cause some discomfort and |
| multiple sclerosis to name a few. The | | | | may be somewhat uncomfortable for the patient |
| apheresis procedure described here is a major | | | | given the duration of the procedure. Patients may |
| means of collecting stem cells for performing | | | | feel some dizziness, cold or nausia during the |
| stem cell transplantation. The recipient's own stem | | | | procedure. Afterward, they may feel tired. |
| cells can be obtained as described above, or | | | | However, there should be no lasting negative side |
| donated stem cells obtained from blood or other | | | | effects. More than 25,000 PBSC procedures have |
| sources can be given to the patient as a | | | | been conducted every year with veryfew |
| transplantation. | | | | problems. The procedure typically requires two to |
| Considering peripheral blood stem cell collection | | | | four hours. |