Background: In this pilot study, donor peripheral blood stem cell (DPBSC) infusions were performed in three recipients of living-related liver transplants (LRLT).
Methods: DPBSCs were obtained by leukapheresis after mobilization with granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (Filgrastim). Donor leukapheresis was performed on the 5th postoperative day, and half of the DPBSCs were infused into the recipient on the day of collection. The second half of the pheresed product was cryopreserved for delayed administration.
Results: Results from preliminary studies of chimerism in LRLT recipients, at 20 weeks posttransplant, suggested that the levels of donor cells detected in LRLT recipients treated with DPBSC infusions may be higher than those observed for recipients of cadaver donor liver allografts and vertebral body marrow infusions.
Conclusions: The results of this pilot study indicate that administration of mobilized DPBSC to recipients of LRLT is a feasible procedure for both donor and recipient.