Introduction

Peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation following consolidation therapy is a feasible treatment option for canine hematological malignancy. Hematopoietic stem cells are generally mobilized into peripheral circulation with granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in the veterinary medicine. The purpose of this study was to compare three different mobilization protocols for PBSC apheresis with Spectra Optia^® system in healthy dogs.

Methods

The stem cell mobilization was performed using G-CSF, plerixafor (CXCR-4 inhibitor), or a combination of the two. Three healthy beagles were assigned to each mobilization protocol. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected by apheresis with continuous mononuclear cell collection program using Spectra Optia^® system. Regardless of the mobilization protocol, total blood volume processed was uniformly set as 270 mL/kg and the numbers of CD34-positive/CD45-weakly-positive cells within the apheresis product were compared.

Results

The mean PBSC counts of apheresis products for G-CSF, plerixafor, or combination group was 4.2±0.47, 1.3±0.24, and 6.4±0.9 × 106 cells/kg, respectively. The time required to process the target volume of the peripheral blood was similar for all three groups (222±3.4, 227±1.5, and 239±7.4 min, respectively).

Conclusion

This results suggest that PBSC mobilization with a combination of G-CSF and plerixafor is most effective. This indicates that if a set number of PBSC is to be harvested, utilization of this mobilization protocol would enable a reduction of the volume of blood processed and therefore a duration of anesthesia for the apheresis procedure.