[Grant]

Re: Stem cell collection failed

by Grant on Tue Jan 06, 2015 2:56 pm

Hi Cindy,

I had a two day infusion of etoposide and Neupogen injections and my harvest was very successful. The etoposide was pretty tough on me, though.

I hope it's not the same for you, good luck!

[CindyBrown]

Re: Stem cell collection failed - not anymore

by CindyBrown on Tue Jan 20, 2015 9:20 pm

I did conditioning with etoposide this time and collected 21.52 million cells yesterday. What a massive difference from last month when I only got 2.4 million. Thanks for the support - moving forward!

[Beacon Staff]

Re: Stem cell collection failed

by Beacon Staff on Tue Jan 20, 2015 9:47 pm

Congratulations Cindy! And thanks for keeping us all updated.

Best of luck with the transplants. We'll be rooting for you!

[SandyC]

Re: Stem cell collection failed

by SandyC on Thu Jan 22, 2015 10:59 pm

Hi Cindy,

That's wonderful news!!! I'm so happy for you! Celebrating with you!

Blessings!
Sandy

[Mark11]

Re: Stem cell collection failed

by Mark11 on Fri Jan 23, 2015 5:18 pm

Hi Cindy,

Great news! All positive energy being sent your way that the auto/allo go MUCH smoother than the induction/collection did.

Mark

[Tydahs87]

Re: Stem cell collection failed

by Tydahs87 on Thu Sep 07, 2017 6:41 pm

This is a topic that interests me as well.

My dad is at the Cleveland Clinic harvesting stem cells for his transplant that is scheduled to happen next Wednesday. This past Tuesday was the first day of the harvest and he harvested 0 cells, Wednesday he harvested 340,000, and today after the shot of Mozobil (plerixafor) he only harvested another 260,000. The nurse told him she feels that tomorrow he will get even less.

Does anyone have any suggestions or insiight on the next steps or what we can do? He's getting another Mozobil shot today and will try to harvest again tomorrow. If he doesn't achieve his number they will take 2 weeks off and then try again.

One thing that I have found during research is that almost everyone I have seen has had 4-6 weeks minimum off of Revlimid as a "wash cycle" before harvest. My father has only been off of Revlimid since the last week of August, which is a little less that 2 weeks before his harvest started. So I'm wondering if that could be he reason for his low counts.

[Nancy Shamanna]

Re: Stem cell collection failed

by Nancy Shamanna on Fri Sep 08, 2017 8:22 am

Hi Tydahs87 and welcome to the Forum!

I had heard also that having Revlimid before stem cell harvest might cause a reduction in stem cells collected, and I did find a journal article which investigated this question:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23591714

It indicated that more than four cycles of Revlimid might inhibit stem cell collection, even if aided by granulated stem cell stimulating factor (such as Neupogen). Before I had a stem cell collection, I had had Velcade plus dex only, and my harvest was more than enough for two transplants if needed.

Hope that helps. Good luck to you and your father.

[Tydahs87]

Re: Stem cell collection failed

by Tydahs87 on Fri Sep 08, 2017 8:49 am

I am wondering if the Revlimid effect is long lasting or just a short term problem. The doctor has suggested that if he does not achieve his number by the end of today to wait a few weeks then attempt it again. Does washing the Revlimid out of your system for a longer period of time improve the ability to harvest stem cells? His WBC numbers are trending up, which I have read means that you body has stem cells ready to release.

[Nancy Shamanna]

Re: Stem cell collection failed

by Nancy Shamanna on Fri Sep 08, 2017 10:45 am

I don't know Tydahs about how long lasting the effect of Revlimid is on the stem cells. Hopefully they would bounce back. I am sure that the doctor would have experience of this problem. Let us know how it turns out too!

[moonscape]

Re: Stem cell collection failed

by moonscape on Fri Sep 08, 2017 6:59 pm

I can relate my experience, though we're all different.

I had the full 8 cycles (about 6 months) of induction therapy with Revlimid, Velcade, and dexamethasone, and then a few weeks break before collection. They gave me Neupogen shots for 5 days just prior to collection and I got 5 million cells in 2 days.