Calibration of the analyser

Before examining blood, BM, or PBSC harvests with mAbs, the scatter properties of whole blood are used to standardize the analyser that has been assessed for the differential count by other methods (e.g. Coulter Counter ACT-8)). Computer software is provided by most FACS manufiicturers to assist with the calibration. This procedure enables the mononuclear cell (MNC) and lymphocyte gates to be identified, so that there is 95% agreement between the two methods. 

3 Assessment of the progenitor cell content in bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) harvests 

i Rationale for measuring the progenitor cell content of BM and PBSC harvests for transplantation after intensive therapy for cancer 

The rationale for giving high-dose therapy for the treatment of cancer was based on the premise that larger doses of radiation or chemotherapeutic agents would result in greater tumour cell kUl and produce a state of complete remission (3). 

Unlike BM harvests the success of PBSC harvesting depends on mobilization of progenitor cells into the peripheral blood with cytotoxic agents and/or cytokines. This is influenced by the age of the patient and the duration and type of previous chemotherapy. Among the elderly ( 65 years) and those who have previous treatment with aUylating agents or radiation, mobilization can be severely impaired (5). 

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