What is the role of apheresis technology in stem cell transplantation?

Since the demonstration that hematopoietic cells are present in circulating blood, peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) has become an area of interest. The invention of growth factors such as the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and the availability of apheresis techniques allowed the wide application of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) in both autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation settings. It has been since 1986 that clinically introduced, peripheral blood stem cells replaced bone marrow as a stem-cell source to nearly 100% in the autologous and to approximately 75% in the allogeneic transplantation setting. During this period of time, remarkable development occurred in both stem cell mobilizing agents (i.e. CXCR4 antagonists) and apheresis techniques. Currently, apheresis technology is being increasingly used in not only for collection of PBSC or blood product support, but also for treatment and/or prevention of several transplantations related complications. Apheresis technology also allows to manipulate stem cells and thus provides opportunity to curative treatment of certain diseases.