Comparison of CD34+ cell collection efficiency on the COBE Spectra and Fenwal CS-3000 Plus.

Optimal collections of mobilized CD34+ cells are important in terms of both patient toxicity and cost. The factors that determine CD34+ collection efficiency (CD34eff) of cell separators have not been well studied. In addition, because several cell separators are available, the type of collection device may also be a significant variable. Previous studies comparing the Baxter-Fenwal CS3000 and the COBE Spectra have not yielded consistent conclusions. Therefore, we retrospectively analyzed the collection outcomes of 163 consecutive donors with a peripheral CD34+ cell concentration (pCD34) of > or =5 cells/microl on the first collection that had been harvested on one or the other device. The CS3000 was found to yield a significantly higher CD34eff (50% vs. 39%, P = 0.006). However, donors were not balanced for several prognostic factors, which may contribute to CD34eff including mobilization with G-CSF vs. chemotherapy+G-CSF, average flow rate, and total volume of peripheral blood processed. When appropriate variables were included in a stepwise multiple variable analysis, cell separator type emerged as a significant independent predictive factor for CD34eff (P = 0.018). Our data indicates that the CS3000 will, on average, show a higher absolute CDeff of 8%. Furthermore, since the two devices differ in mechanism, prognostic factors may also differ. Comparisons suggest that peripheral blood WBC and hematocrit may be more important predictors for the CS3000. Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.