Plerixafor for autologous stem-cell mobilization and transplantation for patients in Ontario

Background High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) is an accepted part of standard therapy for patients with hematologic malignancies. Usually, stem-cell mobilization uses granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF); however, some patients are not able to be mobilized with chemotherapy and G-CSF, and such patients could be at higher risk of failing mobilization. Plerixafor is a novel mobilization agent that is absorbed quickly after subcutaneous injection and, at the recommended dose of 0.24 mg/kg, provides a sustained increase in circulating CD34+ cells for 10-18 hours. The main purpose of the present report was to evaluate the most current evidence on the efficacy of plerixafor in enhancing hematopoietic stem-cell mobilization and collection before ASCT for patients in Ontario so as to make recommendations for clinical practice and to assist Cancer Care Ontario in decision-making with respect to this intervention. Methods The MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were systematically searched for evidence from January 1996 to March 2015, and the best available evidence was used to draft recommendations relevant to the efficacy of plerixafor in enhancing hematopoietic stem-cell mobilization and collection before ASCT. Final approval of this practice guideline report was obtained from both the Stem Cell Transplant Steering Committee and the Report Approval Panel of the Program in Evidence-Based Care. Recommendations These recommendations apply to adult patients considered for ASCT: Adding plerixafor to G-CSF is an option for initial mobilization in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma or multiple myeloma who are eligible for ASCT when chemotherapy cannot be used and only G-CSF mobilization is available. For patients with a low peripheral blood CD34+ cell count (for example, <10/mu L) at the time of anticipated stem-cell harvesting, or with an inadequate first-day apheresis collection, it is recommended that plerixafor be added to the mobilization regimen to maximize stem-cell collection and to prevent the need for remobilization. It is recommended that patients who have failed a previous mobilization attempt undergo remobilization with G-CSF and plerixafor, with or without chemotherapy.