Mozobil™ Increases Number of Stem Cells Available for Transplant
According to the results of a Phase III clinical trial, treatment
with the experimental drug Mozobil™ (plerixafor) increases the number
of stem cells that can be collected from patients with non-Hodgkin'
lymphoma who are preparing for an autologous hematopoietic stem-cell
transplant.
Non-Hodgkin'
cells of the lymph system, which includes the spleen, thymus,
tonsils, bone marrow, lymph nodes, and circulating immune cells.
Lymphocytes are the main cells in the lymph system and exist in two
forms: B- and T-cells. Each of these cells serves a specific function
in aiding the body fight infection. In NHL an excessive amount of
atypical (cancerous) lymphocytes accumulates in the lymph system.
Depending on the type and stage of NHL, treatment may involve high-
dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation. High-
dose chemotherapy generally kills more cancer cells than standard-
dose chemotherapy, but also kills more healthy cells. Hematopoietic
stem cells (immature blood cells) are particularly vulnerable to high-
dose therapy.
To replace hematopoietic stem cells that are destroyed during high-
dose cancer therapy, patients often receive a hematopoietic stem cell
transplant. An autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant makes
use of a patient's own stem cells. The stem cells are collected prior
to therapy and stored, then administered to the patient after high-
dose therapy.
Prior to stem cell collection, the patient may be treated with a drug
known as a granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in order to
increase the number of available stem cells. In order to evaluate
whether the addition of Mozobil to G-CSF improved stem cell
collection compared to G-CSF alone, researchers conducted a Phase III
clinical trial among 298 patients with non-Hodgkin'
Patients treated with G-CSF and Mozobil were three times more likely
than patients treated with G-CSF alone to reach the target threshold
for collection with four or fewer days of blood removal and
separation (apheresis).
Mozobil was generally well tolerated. The most common adverse effects
of treatment were mild gastrointestinal effects and redness at the
injection site. Serious adverse effects occurred in two patients
treated with G-CSF and Mozobil and one patient treated with G-CSF
alone.
Based on these results, the company that makes Mozobil plans to apply
for approval of the drug.
Reference: Genzyme Corp. Press Release. Genzyme Announces Phase 3
Trial of Mozobil in non-Hodgkin'
July 19, 2007. Available at:
http://www.genzyme.
July 31, 2007).
Copyright Non-Hodgkin'
CancerConsultants.
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StemCells subscribers may also be interested in these sites:
Children's Neurobiological Solutions
http://www.CNSfoundation.org/
Cord Blood Registry
http://www.CordBlood.com/at.cgi?a=150123
The CNS Healing Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CNS_Healing
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