The composition of stem cell grafts can affect the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), time to engraftment, and relapse for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT). The mobilization of the stem cells to the peripheral blood and the collection of the cells using apheresis are critical to treatment outcomes for patients undergoing HSCT. Researchers in Sweden recently compared clinical outcomes among patients after allogeneic HSCT from mobilized stem cells collected from two different apheresis devices from sibling donors. Over 5 years, 31 and 40 grafts were collected using a Cobe Spectra apheresis device and a 40 Spectra Optia apheresis device, respectively. While the type of apheresis device used to collect the stem cell grafts did not affect overall survival or relapse of the patients, patients who received stem cells grafts collected on the Optia device had a lower incidence of severe acute GvHD (Cobe 45% vs. Optia 23%; p=0.039) but higher incidence of chronic GvHD (Cobe 32% vs Optia 67%; p=0.005). Further research is needed to understand the variations in stem cells collected using different apheresis devices and the effect on HSCTs.
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