title: Effects of short-term pretreatment with atorvastatin on mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells: A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite recent advances in mobilization techniques, a considerable portion of patients fail to mobilize sufficient number of cells for successful autologous stem cell transplantation. There are several studies available that have demonstrated enhanced mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells with atorvastatin. Therefore, this prospective trial was conducted to evaluate the mobilizing effect of atorvastatin on hematopoietic progenitor cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-four autologous HSCT candidates were randomized in a double-blind controlled trial to receive atorvastatin 40 mg daily or placebo plus standard G-CSF regimen. Treatment was initiated at the time of hospitalization and continued until the day of cell harvest. Independent-samples T-Test, Repeated Measures ANOVA and Mann-Whitney U test were performed to compare means. Categorical variables were analyzed using Chi-square and Fisher's exact test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean number of hematopoietic progenitor cells per microL of peripheral blood at the time of cell harvest did not differ significantly between the two groups. There was no statistically significant difference in secondary outcomes like time of platelet or PMN engraftment, occurrence of bleeding or infectious episode, duration of hospitalization and etc.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study did not support beneficial effects of atorvastatin on mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells from bone marrow.
authors: Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Mehdi
authors: M
authors: Mohammadi
authors: Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Vaezi
authors: Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Bahram
authors: B
authors: Chahardouli
authors: Research Center for Rational Use of Drugs, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Molouk
authors: M
authors: Hadjibabaie
authors: Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Ardeshir
authors: A
authors: Ghavamzadeh
keywords: Atorvastatin; Autologous; HSCT; Mobilization