title: Results of an autologous noncryopreserved, unmanipulated peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplant program: a single-institution, 10-year experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Methods to simplify the stem cell transplantation procedures are needed mainly in developing countries. We have previously shown that unprocessed leukapheresis material is useful to restore hematopoiesis after high-dose chemotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Over a 10-year period in a private practice setting, we prospectively performed autotransplants using noncryopreserved and unmanipulated peripheral blood stem cells mobilized from the bone marrow to the peripheral blood by means of filgrastim and using a single-day conditioning regimen with high dose (200 mg/m2) melphalan.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-six individuals were given 50 autografts. The median age of the patients was 33 years (range 8-69). Twenty-two patients with acute leukemia (13 with myeloblastic and 9 with lymphoblastic leukemia), 4 with chronic myelogenous leukemia, 6 with multiple myeloma, 7 with Hodgkin's disease, 3 with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 4 with metastatic breast carcinoma were included. The median time to achieve >0.5 x 10(9)/l granulocytes was 14 days (range 0-86), whereas the median time to achieve >20 x 10(9)/l platelets was 25 days (range 0-102). The 3,300-day posttransplant survival was 63%, the median posttransplant overall survival was over 3,300 days, the 3,300-day disease-free survival was 50% and the transplant-related mortality was 2%. The procedure was performed entirely on an outpatient basis in the case of 48 autografts (96%). The approximate cost of each graft was 7,500 USD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This simplified method to autograft patients, avoiding in-hospital stays, purging procedures and cryopreservation of the cells, is feasible and results in a substantial decrease in the cost of the autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation methods.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Hematología y Medicina Interna de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico. gruiz1@clinicaruiz.com
authors.forename: Guillermo J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Ruiz-Argüelles
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gómez-Rangel
authors.forename: Guillermo J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Ruiz-Delgado
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ruiz-Argüelles
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pérez-Romano
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rivadeneyra
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005260:Female; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation
chemical_list: D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor