Evaluation of a new continuous mononuclear cell collection procedure in a single transplant center cohort enriched for AL amyloidosis patients

Abstract Background The Spectra Optia continuous mononuclear cell (CMNC) program is newly available, and herein validated in a single-center cohort enriched with AL amyloidosis patients to collect a target CD34+ yield of 2.5 × 10 6 cells/kg within 2 days. Methods Consecutive autologous transplant patients in 2016 are included. Patients undergo leukapheresis with Optia CMNC and Spectra v4.7 over a 2-day cycle. Data collection includes collection efficiency, adverse events and engraftment kinetics. Results 36 leukapheresis procedures on 18 patients are included. The diagnoses are AL amyloidosis (9), myeloma (7), lymphoma (2), and scleroderma (1). Median age is 60; 12 are men. Plerixafor was employed pre-emptively in 6 cycles. Median blood CD34+ on Day 1 of leukapheresis was 46 cells/uL. Median number of blood volumes processed on Day 1 was 3.1. All collection cycles were completed within 2 days; only one in a heavily pretreated lymphoma patient did not reach the target requiring a second mobilization attempt. Mean collection efficiencies were comparable between the two devices. There were 2 adverse events: tubing rupture on the Optia; and one case of hypotension. All 18 patients underwent high-dose chemotherapy: median cell dose infused was 7.7 × 10 6 CD34+ cells/kg. Median days to neutrophil and platelet engraftment were 10 and 13 respectively. Conclusion The Optia CMNC collection protocol is safe and effective in a small single-center autologous stem cell transplant cohort enriched for high-risk patients with AL amyloidosis and cardiac involvement. Caution is needed for tubing setup because there is less cumulative experience with Optia.