Risk factors for unsuccessful peripheral blood stem cell harvesting using granulocyte-colony stimulating factor mobilization in patients with multiple myeloma

The aim of this study was to determine factors that influence unsuccessful peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) harvesting in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Retrospective data of 186 MM patients who received G-CSF as mobilization were analyzed. Patients with successful harvest were compared with those who failed (using 2 definitions of failure <2 and <4 CD34 cells × 106/mm3). The groups were compared regarding age, gender, body weight, baseline platelet count, receipt of radiotherapy, number of prior chemotherapy regimens, PBSC count before collection, processed and collected volume, collect replace, number of sessions and final number of PBSC collected. By multivariate analysis, a baseline platelet count <161,000 cells/mm3 was associated with PBSC harvest lower than 2 × 106/kg, and age >58 years was related to PBSC harvest lower than 4 × 106/kg CD34 cells/kg. Patients with these parameters should not receive mobilization protocols with G-CSF alone. Alternative protocols should be tested in this high risk harvest failure population.