Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation remains the only curative
option for many haematological malignancies. Currently, the majority of
procedures for procurement of haematopoietic progenitor cells are
performed by peripheral blood apheresis collection. The development of
apheresis technology, the discovery of haematopoietic growth factors and
small molecule CXCR4 antagonist for stem- cell mobilization and in vivo
experimental transplantation studies that eventually led to clinical PBSCT.
The quality of PBSC graft be assessed by its speed of engraftment.
The advantage of early engraftment of haematopoietic stem cell
transplantation include, reduced incidence of post transplant neutropenia
associated infections, mortality, morbidity and shorten the length of
hospital stay that eventually reduce the overall cost.
Furthermore this valuable expensive procedure will be available for
more number of patients who are waiting for their disease to be cured. This
prospective observational study was undertaken to study (favorable and
unfavorable) factors influencing the HSC engraftment.
Since early engraftment reduces length of hospital stay, morbidity,
mortality and cost of this highly expensive treatment, it is imperative to
utilize all available options to enhance the speed of engraftment. In a
country like India where there are a few established haematopoietic stem
cell transplantation centers available, there are many patients desperately
waiting for their life to be saved by this specialized procedure. Hence,
successful and faster PBSC graft engraftment is absolutely essential