Hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilization with just-in-time plerixafor approach is a cost-effective alternative to routine plerixafor use

Background aims. Hematopoietic cell mobilization with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and plerixafor results in superior CD34+ cell yield compared with G-CSF alone in patients with myeloma and lymphoma. However, plerixafor-based approaches may be associated with high costs. Several institutions use a just-in-time plerixafor approach, in which plerixafor is only administered to patients likely to fail mobilization with G-CSF alone. Whether such an approach is cost-effective is unknown. Methods. We evaluated 136 patients with myeloma or lymphoma who underwent mobilization with 2 approaches of plerixafor utilization. Between January 2010 and October 2012, 76 patients uniformly received mobilization with G-CSF and plerixafor. Between November 2012 and June 2014, 60 patients were mobilized with plerixafor administered only to those patients likely to fail mobilization with G-CSF alone. Results. The routine plerixafor group had a higher median peak peripheral blood CD34+ cell count (62 versus 29 cells/mu L, P < 0.001) and a higher median day 1 CD34+ yield (2.9 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg versus 2.1 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg, P = 0.001). The median total CD34+ collection was higher with routine plerixafor use (5.8 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg versus 4.5 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg, P = 0.007). In the just-in-time group, 40% (n = 24) completed adequate collection without plerixafor. There was no difference in mobilization failure rates. The mean plerixafor doses used was lower with just-in-time approach (1.3 versus 2.1, P = 0.0002). The mean estimated cost in the routine plerixafor group was higher (USD 27,513 versus IJSD 23,597, P = 0.01). Discussion. Our analysis demonstrates that mobilization with a just-in-time plerixafor approach is a safe, effective, and cost-efficient strategy for HPC collection.