Plerixafor in the treatment of progenitor cell mobilization failure: First experience in Algeria.

To the Editor: Autologous progenitor cell transplantation (APCT) after a high dose of conditioning chemotherapy is now an established treatment modality for many hematological malignancies. Clinical results and survival after APCT depend on disease chemosensitivity at transplant, efficacy of the conditioning regimen, and quantity of CD34 cells infused. Most autologous progenitor cell mobilization protocols use either a combination of chemotherapy and a growth factor, or a growth factor alone. Mobilization failure in patients is a major therapeutic concern which makes subsequent APCT impossible. A new growth factor called plerixafor, developed by the pharmaceutical industry, is especially indicated for mobilization failure.