Successful CD34+ cell mobilization by intermediate-dose Ara-C in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients treated with sequential fludarabine and Campath-1H

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells could be undetectable by flow cytometry or polymerase chain reaction after sequential treatment with fludarabine and Campath-1H. Concern has been raised regarding the ability to mobilize sufficient peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) for autografting after purine analogues, and there are few data about PBPC collection after Campath-1H. In all, 16 CLL patients responding to sequential chemo-immunotherapy entered the study. In 10, mobilization regimen consisted of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) 5-10 μg/kg/die. Patients failing mobilization or not achieving the target of 2.5 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg underwent a second attempt using intermediate-dose (ID) Ara-C, 800 mg/m2 every 12 h for six doses + G-CSF. PBPC collection after G-CSF alone was successful in two out of 10 patients. An adequate number of CD34+ cells were collected after ID Ara-C + G-CSF in eight patients failing the mobilization with G-CSF alone and in five out of six who did not receive G-CSF before. Greater yields of PBPCs were collected with Ara-C + G-CSF compared with G-CSF alone (13.8 vs 3.3). The extrahematologic toxicity was manageable. In conclusion, PBPC collection is feasible in CLL patients treated with sequential therapy including fludarabine and Campath-1H. Excellent yields were obtained in 92.8% of patients primed with ID Ara-C + G-CSF.