Positive immunomagnetic CD34(+) cell selection in haplo-identical transplants in beta-thalassemia patients: removal of platelets using an automated system

Background aims: Immunomagnetic CD34 cell selection (ICS) is utilized in autologous and allogeneic transplants. In the fi rst case it is used to reduce the neoplastic contamination of concentrates, while in the second case it is needed to carry out a T-depletion of cell concentrates in order to reduce the incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in patients who have undergone haplo-identical transplants. Methods: The effi cacy of CliniMACS technology, after reduction of platelet contamination, incubation of monoclonal antibodies (MAb) and successive washings of concentrates, performed in 16 ICS using the standard method without reducing platelet content, was compared with the use of the automated system CytoMate, which was carried out in 46 ICS. Results: In the group of ICS carried out after automatic manipulation, a signifi cant statistical difference in purity was noted (91.39% versus 83.57, P 0.017) compared with the group of ICS carried out with the standard procedure. The same signifi cant difference was noted in relation to the remaining percentages of CD3 and CD19 cells (2.31% versus 5.68%, P 0.012, and 1.58% versus 2.71%, P 0.014, respectively). Recovery of CD34 cells overlapped in the two groups (70.49% versus 68.39%, P 0.774). Conclusions: Immunomagnetic selection carried out using the automated procedure was more effi cient, producing a purer sample, more effi cient T-depletion and optimal reduction of B cells, without infl uencing cell recovery. Furthermore, conforming to good manufacturing practice (GMP) guidelines, the entire procedure with CytoMate took place in a contamination-controlled environment.