Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Harvest

By: Ian Murnaghan BSc (hons), MSc - Updated: 14 Nov 2018 | *Discuss Tweet

A peripheral blood stem cell harvest is a technique used to restore a person's blood cells after they have been damaged by chemotherapy or radiation. The procedure is often used to treat patients with either leukaemia or lymphoma cancer. Because the chemotherapy or radiation treatment damages healthy cells alongside cancer cells a patient requires a viable source of blood-forming cells. Stem cells are able to generate the white blood cells, platelets and red blood cells that are important for functions such as oxygen transport, clotting and immunity.

What Types Are There?

Autologous: a patient receives his or her own stem cells.

Allogeneic: a patient receives stem cells from someone else-either a relative or an unrelated donor.

Syngeneic: a patient receives stem cells from an identical twin.

How Are The Peripheral Blood Stem Cells Obtained?

There are three types of transplants that may be performed for a peripheral harvest:The stem cells utilised in this procedure are obtained from the bloodstream in a process called apheresis. In the preceding week before apheresis is performed, a donor receives drugs to increase the number of stem cells in his or her bloodstream. During apheresis, the donor's blood is removed, usually through the arm, and it flows through a machine that removes the stem cells. The blood then flows back to the donor while the extracted stem cells are then frozen until they are transferred to the recipient. The process usually lasts approximately five hours.

How Are Peripheral Blood Stem Cells Given To The Patient?

The patient is treated with either radiation or strong cancer drugs, before receiving stem cells through an intravenous line. After the stem cells are transplanted into the patient, they move from the bloodstream to the bone marrow. It is here that they produce healthy white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. The process is called engraftment and it generally occurs over the two to four weeks following stem cell transplantation. Physicians will follow a patient's progress by observing blood counts on a regular basis to ensure that the engraftment is successful. A complete recovery is much more long-term, however, and immune functioning can take months to years before it is fully recovered. Sometimes, bone marrow aspiration is performed, where a physician samples a small amount of bone marrow to provide a detailed assessment of the patient's progress.

Advantages of Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Harvest

Although traditionally, all stem cell transplants that were initially performed were bone marrow transplants, peripheral blood stem cell transplants are now commonly used. It is often the case that more stem cells can be harvested from peripheral blood as opposed to bone marrow. In addition, the procedure for extracting cells from the donor is less taxing and complicated than a bone marrow stem cell harvest. Even more beneficial is the fact that the recipient's blood count tends to replenish much more quickly in comparison with a bone marrow harvest.

Therapies such as peripheral blood stem cell harvests are often life-saving. For those who have suffered from cancer or know someone who has battled the disease, stem cell treatments have provided a better chance of remission from the disease. Further research into new treatments as well as improving older ones will ensure that we stay on the path to a cure for cancer.

You might also like...

Share Your Story, Join the Discussion or Seek Advice.. [Add a Comment]

the farley - 17-Apr-18 @ 6:30 PM i need to find something about the test and studies with stem cells.

Gio - 19-Mar-17 @ 5:02 AM Hi I am a 42 year old healthy male with the exception of a bout with vertigo 3 years ago that has left me chronically dizzy most days and hours of the days I am a healthy man. My question is can I receive peripheral stem cell therapy to help cure my dizziness? If so can I receive treatment without surprising my immune system? Thank you

Bob - Your Question: I had a stroke almost 4 years ago and became partially blind in both eyes. I cannot work or drive however I do have the ability to see s bit with my central vision. My central vision is distorted 1 day and cloudy (fog like) the next day. I do have some perphical vision in both eyes. Can stem cells help me? Our Response: I am sorry to hear this. Please see article: Stem Cells to Treat Blindness, link ExploreStemCells - 14-Jan-16 @ 12:23 PM I am sorry to hear this. Please see article: Stem Cells to Treat Blindness, link here . While this is still very much at the research stage, progress is being made quickly.

Bob - 13-Jan-16 @ 6:09 PM I had a stroke almost 4 years ago and became partially blind in both eyes. I cannot work or drive however I do have the ability to see s bit with my central vision. My central vision is distorted 1 day and cloudy (fog like) the next day. I do have some perphical vision in both eyes. Can stem cells help me?

Pete - Your Question: Thank you for this information. My 15yr old son has in the last few days undergone stem cell therapy for leukemia at city college hospital in London. Your article enhanced upon what the doctors there told me. Good job. Our Response: Many thanks for your comments. I hope the treatment for your son is successful. Please keep us updated on how he responds. ExploreStemCells - 14-Sep-15 @ 11:18 AM Many thanks for your comments. I hope the treatment for your son is successful. Please keep us updated on how he responds.

Pete - 13-Sep-15 @ 6:57 AM Thank you for this information. My 15yr old son has in the last few days undergone stem cell therapy for leukemia at city college hospital in London. Your article enhanced upon what the doctors there told me. Good job.

mina - 12-Sep-15 @ 6:31 PM hello Please answer my question What is the number of peripheral blood stem cells in a normal person? Thanks

aminlab - 22-Jul-14 @ 1:32 PM very nice article.please i want to know the name of machine used to separate stem cells from epepherial blood and price for machine and kit.please help me soon.thank you.

binnu - 23-Jun-14 @ 1:46 PM i am pasant of praimary maylo fibrosis kya ma BON MARROW TRANSPLANT KA BADSAHI HO SAKTA HUN KITNA PARSANT CHANS HAI THANKS

holly - 30-Mar-11 @ 10:58 AM An absolutely brilliant article. Finally explained in plain english!! Thank you!