Feasibility of peripheral blood stem cell collection from sickle cell trait donors with an intensified G-CSF regimen

Objectives: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only curative treatment for SCD and bone marrow from an HLA-matched sibling is currently the standard of care. Haploidentical HSCT from a family donor with a TCR alpha beta/CD19 depleted graft (T-haplo) is an increasingly successful alternative, which requires the generation of G-CSF stimulated peripheral stem cell (PBSC) from haploidentical relatives. These sickle cell trait (SCT) donors reported to develop SCD-related complications in conditions of severe stress. Methods: In this retrospective analysis, we compared the safety and efficacy of PBSC mobilization with a G-CSF intensified mobilization regimen in SCT donors with a conventional G-CSF mobilization regimen in healthy donors. Results: The reported adverse events were similar during intensified G-CSF mobilization, apheresis, and shortly after stem cell apheresis in SCT and control donors. In SCT and control donors, we were able to mobilize high yields of CD34(+) stem cells and the harvested CD34(+) cell count was comparable with control donors. Conclusions: Peripheral stem cell mobilization using an intensified G-CSF regimen is safe, and well tolerated among SCT donors. SCT donors are a valid alternative for collection of peripheral CD34(+) stem cells for T-cell-depleted haploidentical stem cell transplantation.