title: Positive immunomagnetic CD34(+) cell selection in haplo-identical transplants in beta-thalassemia patients: removal of platelets using an automated system.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Immunomagnetic CD34(+) cell selection (ICS) is utilized in autologous and allogeneic transplants. In the first case it is used to reduce the neoplastic contamination of concentrates, while in the second case it is needed to carry out a T-depletion of cell concentrates in order to reduce the incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in patients who have undergone haplo-identical transplants.
  
  
  METHODS
  The efficacy of CliniMACS technology, after reduction of platelet contamination, incubation of monoclonal antibodies (MAb) and successive washings of concentrates, performed in 16 ICS using the standard method without reducing platelet content, was compared with the use of the automated system CytoMate, which was carried out in 46 ICS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the group of ICS carried out after automatic manipulation, a significant statistical difference in purity was noted (91.39% versus 83.57, P = 0.017) compared with the group of ICS carried out with the standard procedure. The same significant difference was noted in relation to the remaining percentages of CD3(+) and CD19(+) cells (2.31% versus 5.68%, P = 0.012, and 1.58% versus 2.71%, P = 0.014, respectively). Recovery of CD34+ cells overlapped in the two groups (70.49% versus 68.39%, P = 0.774).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Immunomagnetic selection carried out using the automated procedure was more efficient, producing a purer sample, more efficient T-depletion and optimal reduction of B cells, without influencing cell recovery. Furthermore, conforming to good manufacturing practice (GMP) guidelines, the entire procedure with CytoMate took place in a contamination-controlled environment.
authors.affiliation: Immunohematology Section, Tor Vergata University and SIMT Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital, Rome, Italy. francescozinno@virgilio.it
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zinno
authors.forename: Fabiola
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Landi
authors.forename: Viviana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Aureli
authors.forename: Geppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Balduino
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lanti
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sodani
authors.forename: Gaspare
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Adorno
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lucarelli
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Isacchi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000276:immunology*; D001331:Automation / Q000379:methods; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D002452:Cell Count; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D018189:Immunomagnetic Separation / Q000379:methods*; D007937:Leukapheresis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D019172:Transplantation Conditioning; D055815:Young Adult; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34