Breast Tumor Cell Contamination of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Collections

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Strobl, Frank J.^a | Stadtmauer, Edward A.^b

Affiliations: [a] Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 6 Founders Pavilion, 3400 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA | [b] University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center, 16 Penn Tower, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA

Abstract: The survival for patients with advanced breast cancer following conventional combination chemotherapy remains limited. Attempts to circumvent drug resistance have involved high-dose chemotherapy along with autologous hematopoietic stem cell support. Despite this, relapse remains the primary cause of death. Breast tumor cells are commonly found in hematopoietic stem cell collections. The role of reinfused occult tumor cells in malignant relapse following high-dose chemotherapy has yet to be determined but is likely to have a negative impact. Strategies to decrease stem cell contamination under investigation include: (1) improved regimens for stem cell mobilization, (2) enhanced techniques for tumor cell detection, (3) targeted tumor cell purging and (4) alternative sources of stem cells. These approaches hold promise for improving the outcome of patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell reinfusion for poor-prognosis breast cancer.

DOI: 10.3233/BD-2001-14103

Journal: Breast Disease, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 9-19, 2001