Prospective, concurrent comparison of the Cobe Spectra and Haemonetics MCS-3P cell separators for leukapheresis after high-dose filgrastim in patients with hematologic malignancies.
A prospective study was undertaken to compare the mononuclear cell, CD34+ cell, and CFU-GM yields of the Haemonetics MCS-3P and the Cobe Spectra cell separators in ten patients (nine multiple myeloma and one non-Hodgkin lymphoma) on two consecutive days after mobilization with high-dose filgrastim (12-16 micrograms/k) for 4 days. All patients were harvested once on each machine, five starting on each machine. The target duration of the procedure on the Spectra was 160 minutes, and the target blood volume processed on the MCS-3P was 60-70 ml/kg body weight. Both machines were operating on the 1995 software versions supplied by the respective manufacturers. The time taken for the procedure was significantly longer with the Haemonetics machine. The volumes of blood processed and the product collected were significantly higher with the Spectra, as were the absolute mononuclear and CD34+ cell yields, and yields per unit time. Mononuclear and CD34+ cell yields per unit volume of blood processed were comparable for both machines. The differences in CFU-GM yields were not significant, largely because of wide interpatient variations. The extent of platelet depletion as a result of the procedure was greater with the Spectra because of the higher blood volume being processed. We conclude that the Cobe Spectra is a significantly faster machine than the Haemonetics MCS-3P; and consequently, its use is associated with higher mononuclear and CD34+ cell yields.