Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Mobilization: a Look Ahead

Purpose of Review Mobilized peripheral blood is the predominant source of stem and progenitor cells for hematologic transplantation. Successful transplant requires sufficient stem cells of high enough quality to recapitulate lifelong hematopoiesis, but in some patients and normal donors, reaching critical threshold stem cell numbers is difficult to achieve. Novel strategies, particularly those offering rapid mobilization and reduced costs, remain an area of interest. This review summarizes critical scientific underpinnings in understanding the process of stem cell mobilization, with a focus on new or improved strategies for their efficient collection and engraftment. Recent Findings Studies are described that provide new insights into the complexity of stem cell mobilization. Agents that target new pathways such HSC egress identify strategies to collect more potent competing HSC, and new methods to optimize stem cell collection and engraftment are being evaluated. Summary Agents and more effective strategies that directly address the current shortcomings of hematopoietic stem cell mobilization and transplantation and offer the potential to facilitate collection and expand use of mobilized stem cells have been identified.