Infusion of a high number of CD34+ cells provides a rapid hematopoietic recovery and cost savings in autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of the number of infused CD34+ cells on hematopoietic recovery and on the cost in autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). METHODS Sixty-nine patients who received autologous PBSCT (ABSCT) were divided into three groups defined by the number of infused CD34+ cells. The number of days until 0.5 x 10(9)/l neutrophils and 50 x 10(9)/l platelets, the number of transfused blood products, the febrile days, the duration of parenteral antibiotics and the cost of additional supportive care (transfusions of blood products and parenteral antibiotics) were analyzed. RESULTS Twenty-three patients received <2.5 x 10(6)/kg of CD34+ cells (group A), 25 patients received > or = 2.5 to 5 x 10(6)/kg of CD34+ cells (group B) and 21 patients received > or = 5 x 10(6)/kg of CD34+ cells (group C). Patients in group C had rapid neutrophil (p < 0.01) and platelet (p < 0.05) recovery and required less platelet transfusions (p < 0.05) than patients in other groups. Transfusions of red blood cell concentrates, the duration of febrile days or parenteral antibiotics were not statistically different between the two groups. The patients in group C required significantly lower costs for platelet concentrates and additional supportive care (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Infusion of > or = 5 x 10(6)/kg of CD34+ cells in ABSCT shortens hematopoietic recovery and reduces costs for additional supportive care.