Is long term storage of cryopreserved stem cells for hematopoieticstem cell transplantation a worthwhile exercise in developingcountries?

• Published in: Blood research pp. 307 - 310
• Main Authors: Santhosh Kumar Devadas(Research and Education in Cancer, Minal Khairnar(Research and Education in Cancer, Sumathi S Hiregoudar(Research and Education in Cancer, Shashank Ojha(Research and Education in Cancer, Sachin Punatar(Research and Education in Cancer, Alok gupta(Research and Education in Cancer, Anant Gokarn(Research and Education in Cancer, Pallavi Bhole(Research and Education in Cancer, Sadhana Kannan(Research and Education in Cancer, Navin Khattry(Research and Education in Cancer
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 대한혈액학회 01.12.2017
• Subjects: 병리학
• ISSN: 2287-979X; 2288-0011

Background: Stem cell units (SCUs) that are cryopreserved prior to both autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants (for donor lymphocyte infusion) remain unused or partially used several times, and become an increased burden to blood banks/SCU repositories. Because of the scarcity of data regarding the duration for which the storage is useful, there is no general consensus regarding disposal of SCUs. Methods: We conducted a retrospective audit of SCU utilization in 435 patients who planned to undergo either autologous stem cell transplantation (auto-SCT) (N=239) or allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) (N=196) at a tertiary cancer care center between November 2007 to January 2015. Results: Our cohort consisted of 1,728 SCUs stored for conducting auto-SCT and 729 SCUs stored for conducting donor lymphocyte infusions (DLIs) after allo-SCT. Stem cells were not in-fused in 12.5% of patients who had planned to undergo auto-SCT, and 80% of patients who underwent allo-SCT never received DLI. Forty-one percent of SCUs intended for use in auto-SCT remained unutilized, with a second auto-SCT being performed only in 4 patients. Ninety-four percent of SCUs intended for carrying out DLIs remained unused, with only minimal usage observed one year after undergoing allo-SCT. Conclusion: The duration of storage of unused SCUs needs to be debated upon, so that a consensus can be reached regarding the ethical disposal of SCU. KCI Citation Count: 0