First, the amount of stem cells in the blood is increased
Before harvesting the stem cells from the blood, a substance (G-CSF) is administered to the donor. This stimulates the production of certain white blood cells in the bone marrow and in the blood. G-CSF also ensures that the stem cells are released from the bone marrow into the blood. The donor is given a daily subcutaneous injection of G-CSF for four days prior to the stem cell harvest.
In general, G-CSF is well tolerated. Studies conducted to date have not revealed any significant side effects. Donors will sometimes experience headache, bone ache, muscle pain and a slight burning sensation at the site of the needle puncture. The side effects are easy to treat with simple painkillers. Sporadically, allergic reactions, such as fever, shivers and skin rashes or a painful swelling of the spleen, occur.
The stem cells are then harvested from the blood
The stem cells circulating in the blood will be harvested after approximately four to five days. This is done using a special device called a cell separator. For this, a catheter is inserted into both forearms. The blood flows along one of the tubes from the donor’s body to the cell separator, where the stem cells are collected from the blood. The other constituents of the blood are returned to the body immediately using the other catheter.
Is there any pain?
Apart from inserting the catheters, the procedure is entirely painless. The donor also only loses a minimum amount of blood. This procedure, which is called leucapheresis, takes approximately two to four hours. In case it is impossible to harvest sufficient numbers of stem cells in one procedure, an additional G-CSF injection is administered. The following day, a second leucapheresis is carried out. One can only tell during the first procedure if a second procedure is needed.
Benefits for the patient, too
The practice of using blood stem cells as an alternative to bone marrow stem cells has been in place in Belgium for almost ten years now. It is a method that also has possible benefits for patients. For example, the production of blood resumes sooner and the recovery of the body’s immune system is also faster.