Apheresis 12/8/05

Technically, it is referred to as Apheresis OR Peripheral Blood Stem (or progenitor if you want to be real straight laced about it) Cell (PBSC) Collection. And if so desired, an even higher level of specificity can be obtained by tacking CD34+ on the front of Peripheral Blood Progenitor Cell. Or, when discussing between friends, just stem cell collection (or harvest sometimes).

I had my stem cells collected again today -- felt like someone hit me with a hammer when it was over five hours later. They collected .77 million which brings the total to 7.9 million. We will see what is collected tomorrow and decide whether to stop then or continue growth factor (Neupogen) through the weekend and give it one more attempt Monday. The minimum quantity of stem cells required for engraftment according to some authorities is 2 million per kilogram for engraftment to occur within 10 to 14 days ( whatever that means). All I know is that my doctor told me I needed 3 million for a transplant and we want to collect enough for three transplants. That's nine million.

Neupogen is interesting stuff. Essentially, it is a molecular concoction which uses e-choli bacteria as a transportation device into which has been inserted the human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) gene. In other words, genetic hocus pocus. Technically, it is referred to as Filgrastim but the trademark slapped on it by Amgen, Inc. is Neupogen. If that isn't good enough then they also have a timed release form which is called Neulasta (betcha have heard of that every fifteen minutes or so off and on between your favorite TV show). It essentially increases neutrophil production or, in my case, "mobelizes" CD34+ PBPC.

Anyway, that is the stuff they have been pumping into me at the rate of 1200 micrograms a day since we began collection and twice a day for the last four days or so. That's about all the technobabel I can throw at you today so thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for further developments.