You are here

Stem Cell Harvest

It has been suggested to me that I should have stem cells harvested and stored just in case I need them. Other (local oncologist) opinion has postulated that, given a good response to Glivec, it is very unlikely that I will need them and that there are cryogenic stores stuffed with unused cells.

So far, after four months, I am responding well, although, when I get the results of the BMB I had a few days ago, I shall know more.

I understand that the procedures, particularly preparatory chemo, cell growth stimulants, etc., for the harvest are not pleasant. I also understand that the transplant procedure is not pleasant and at age 61 (and with a damaged heart and partially collapsed lung) the risk of failure is high.

Given the above and the improved prognosis with Glivec, I am minded not to have the harvest. If I were 30 and with many years ahead, my view would be very different, but the risk/reward equation is different. If a transplant is indicated in, say, 5 years at age 66, the downsides for a possible very few years of continued existence do not seem worthwhile.

Any comments would be very welcome.

John

Hi John
With a very good response to Glivec it is unlikely that you will need your harvested cells. Even if you lost your response to Glivec there are other drugs there. I can understand your trail of thought of why mess with success right now and with your other health problems transplant would not be a favoured route.
I was rescued with my harvested cells so I am a bit biased but I can see that in your case it serves little purpose.
Let's see what your latest results are and think again. With a good response to Glivec you could be living for the next 25 years or more on drug therapy.
By the way you would not need any chemo for the cell harvest, just some growth stimulating factor injections to boost your white cell count before undergoing leucapheresis.
With very best wishes
Elizabeth

Hi Elizabeth,

I read that chemo to kill remaining nasties was a precursor to cell growth stimulation, but I find that CML information on the net tends to be out of date very quickly.

There must be many others of my age (or more) with CML, but otherwise healthy, for whom this is still a valid debate, given the markedly increased transplant risks and diminishing returns associated with age. If there is nothing untoward involved with the harvest procedure (is there?), then it becomes a question of logistics for the hospital.

In my particular case, 10 years ago, my heart was given 10 years, so I guess I am living on borrowed time. That part of me seems to be soldiering on OK, but I suspect that Glivec will ward off CML long enough for something else to get me first.

Thanks for your very helpful thoughts.

John

Hi John
Elizebeth is giving you good info here. Harvested cels are not always used for a transplant, but can be used for other proceedures within your drugs regime. I had a auto graft transplant back in 1998 in the pre Glivec days, the mobilisation aspect where cels are harvested is a bit low key, and I certainly did not have any adverse effects from this proceedure at all. Yes there was chemo therapy to depleat immune system, but it was done slowly. I do remember the injections of GCSF to stimulate cell re-growth were more uncomfortable, being coupled up to the 'machine' for 15 hours total, was not that bad at all. The bone marrow harvest was also a low key event, despite my initial terror of general anesthetic, it was nothing to fear at all and no residual pain or discomfort, in an out in two days. All of these cells are stored, some I have usede since in other Glivec related proceedures, I am happy that they are there, just in case. All of what is being proposed is to add a belt to your braces. Give it a great deal of thought before you dismiss it, could be a life saver.
Do feel free to ask me any questions you may have.
Do have fun and always keep smiling
Keith

Thanks Keith. I certainly haven't dismissed it yet, but I am inclining that way. Having said that, I didn't realise that the cells could be used in procedures other than a transplant.

I have a consultation at Hammersmith in about 10 days and I shall review it then.

Thanks,

John.