Comparison of the efficiency of peripheral blood stem cell apheresis on the blood cell separators.

BACKGROUND: Stem cells apheresis is a key step in the process of the autologous stem cell transplantation. Available blood cell separators (BCS) have different efficiency due to the technical characteristics and influence of the operator. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospectively, data were collected of the peripheral blood stem cells apheresis performed using available BCS manufactured by Fresenius (ComTec and Amicus) in the National Cancer Institute Ukraine from 2017 to 2020. The collection efficiency coefficient (CEC) was calculated, the formula for predicting the total volume of processed blood (TVPB) was adapted for each separator. RESULTS: The analysis included data from 60 patients (total of 92 apheresis procedures). The mean CEC was established at the level of (53.8 ± 36.6) % for the Amicus device and (44.2 ± 37.3) % for the ComTec device; P = 0.22. The lower product volume was obtained using the Amicus device compared to the ComTec device; P = 2×10-7. The amount of collected stem cells was comparable in both groups (5.8 ± 5.7) ×106/kg and (4.1 ± 3.1) ×106/kg, respectively; P = 0.064. The adaptation of the formula for predicting the TVPB to achieve the optimum amount of stem cells was performed. CONCLUSION: The CEC for each device was within the generally accepted limits of 30-50%, and did not differ significantly. Nevertheless, using of the Amicus BCS allowed to collect lower volumes of the product, maintaining other characteristics of the product competitive.

[Efficiency therapy with rituximab in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas].

Management of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) has been significantly changed during last 40 years from radiotherapy to modern polychemotherapy with application of monoclonal antibodies. A ten year experience of the treatment of patients with B-cell NHL with rituximab application was accumulated in National Cancer Institute. The group of patients with NHL, who were treated in oncohematology department in the period from 2001 to 2010, was chosen for study of the efficacy of the treatment with rituximab. The immediate and distant results of the treatment were evaluated in this group of patients. The usage of the polychemotherapy with rituximab was highly efficient in the treatment of primary and relapsed patients with NHL. This group shows high rate of the immediate and distant results of treatment.

[Thromboprophylaxis in patients with multiply myeloma who receives chemotherapy with thalidomide].

Achievements of world practice about development and prophilaxis of tromboembolic events (VTE) in cancer patients. Particular attention is paid to prevention of VTE in patients with multiply myeloma who receive chemotherapy with Thalidomide.

[The treatment of patients with refractory forms of Hodgkin's lymphomas].

The treatment of patients with refractory forms of Hodgkin's lymphomas in combination with chemo-radiotherapy is priority. Nevertheless, chemotherapy has to include multicomponent schemes and radiation therapy should be an addition and consolidative method to chemotherapy.