Uncontrolled-rate freezing and storage at -80 degrees C, with only 3.5-percent DMSO in cryoprotective solution for 109 autologous peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantations.
BACKGROUND
Although controlled-rate freezing and storage in liquid nitrogen are the standard procedure for peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) cryopreservation, uncontrolled-rate freezing and storage at -80 degrees C have been reported.


METHODS
The prospective evaluation of 109 autologous PBPC transplantations after uncontrolled-rate freezing and storage at -80 degrees C of apheresis products is reported. The cryoprotectant solution contained final concentrations of 1-percent human serum albumin, 2.5-percent hydroxyethyl starch, and 3.5-percent DMSO.


RESULTS
With in vitro assays, the median recoveries of nucleated cells (NCs), CD34+ cells, CFU-GM, and BFU-E were 60.8 percent (range, 11.2-107.1%), 79.6 percent (6.3-158.1%), 35.6 percent (0.3-149.5%), and 32.6 percent (1.7-151.1%), respectively. The median length of storage was 7 weeks (range, 1-98). The median cell dose, per kg of body weight, given to patients after the preparative regimen was 6.34 x 10(8) NCs (range, 0.02-38.3), 3.77 x 10(6) CD34+ cells (0.23-58.5), and 66.04 x 10(4) CFU-GM (1.38-405.7). The median time to reach 0.5 x 10(9) granulocytes per L, 20 x 10(9) platelets per L, and 50 x 10(9) reticulocytes per L was 11 (range, 0-37), 11 (0-129), and 17 (0-200) days, respectively. Hematopoietic reconstitution did not differ in patients undergoing myeloablative or nonmyeloablative conditioning regimens before transplantation.


CONCLUSIONS
This simple and less expensive cryopreservation procedure can produce successful engraftment, comparable to that obtained with the standard storage procedure.
Halle
P
P
Bioclinical Unit of Cell Therapy and the Department of Pediatric Oncology (Pédiatrics B), Hôtel Dieu Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand, France. phalle@chu-clermontferrand.fr
Tournilhac
O
O
Knopinska-Posluszny
W
W
Kanold
J
J
Gembara
P
P
Boiret
N
N
Rapatel
C
C
Berger
M
M
Travade
P
P
Angielski
S
S
Bonhomme
J
J
Deméocq
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015925:Cryopreservation; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005615:Freezing; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide