Autologous peripheral blood stem cell mobilization and collection in patients with lymphoma and multiple myeloma: A single-center experience using the plerixa for pre-emptive approach.

OBJECTIVES: To review and assess the efficiency of pre-emptive plerixafor administration for poor mobilization (PM) and to review and assess mobilization efficiency (≥2×106 CD34+ cells/kg) in patients who received autologous stem cell transplantation for lymphoma and multiple myeloma (MM) at the Department of Adult Hematology/Blood Marrow Transplant, Princess Noorah Oncology Center, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, over the past 7 years. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated all patients with MM and lymphoma undergoing peripheral blood stem cell mobilization and collection at our institution between February 2014 and August 2021. Plerixafor was administered pre-emptively by a plateau of <10 peripheral blood CD34+/µl after chemotherapy-based mobilization or CD34+ of <8/µL on day 4 after mobilization with G-CSF alone. Between peak CD34+ levels of 10-15/µl, plerixafor will be used at the discretion of the treating physician. RESULTS: In total, 215 patients were enrolled. Among them, 80% had peak CD34+ level ≥20/µL, 11% had clear poor mobilization (peak CD34+ levels <10/µL), and 9% had borderline PM (CD34+ between 10-19/µL). Plerixafor was administered pre-emptively in 13% of the patients and 75% of patients with borderline PM were collected without plerixafor, suggesting that plerixafor is not needed if CD34+ >15/µL on the anticipated collection day. Mobilization failed in only one patient (<1%). CONCLUSION: Our data showed that with plerixafor pre-emptive administration, the primary endpoint was achieved for most patients identified with PM, preventing the need for a second mobilization attempt.

Addressing Cancer Treatment Shortages in Saudi Arabia: Results of a National Survey and Expert Panel Recommendations.

PURPOSE: Cancer treatment shortages are complex and a persistent problem worldwide. Patients with cancer are most vulnerable to drug shortages, which provides opportunities to examine the extent of the challenge(s) facing Saudi Arabia and to provide recommendations toward mitigating the impact of cancer treatment shortages on patient outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A qualitative methodologic approach was conducted in April 2019 using a validated questionnaire and structured panel discussion for data generation. RESULTS: Overall, 55 responses were received from practicing oncology health care professionals (26 pharmacists and 29 physicians). The annual average number of treated patients with cancer per institution was 640 (adults [n = 400] and pediatric [n = 240]). All respondents (100%) reported that cancer treatment shortages constitute a current problem in their center, with an average of 5 (range, 1-9) per month. The panelists recognized 2 fundamental points. First, the definition of cancer drug shortages should be standardized and recognized at the national level. Second, the current system must be improved to ensure proper and efficient use of the current resources. On that basis, the panelists developed 9 recommendations for action. CONCLUSION: Cancer drug shortage is a significant problem in all health centers in Saudi Arabia. This study presents challenges that should be addressed at the national level and essential consensus recommendations for a coordinated action developed by a panel of experts to tackle the current national problem of cancer treatment shortages. Implementing these recommendations will provide a blueprint for management of national drug shortages in general and cancer treatment shortages in particular.