Use of 'rainy day' autologous haemopoietic stem cells: a single-institution experience over 10 years

Background: High-dose chemotherapy and autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is an important therapeutic modality in the treatment of many haematological malignancies. Generally, stem cells are collected close to the time of the transplant, but an alternative is to collect and cryopreserve cells at an early stage of the illness so they are available for later use ('rainy day harvesting'). Although this practice has been commonplace in Australia, there is little evidence to document eventual use of cells collected in this manner.

Methods: We conducted an audit of indications for and eventual transplantation of 'rainy day' harvests performed at our institution over a 10-year period.

Results: Although there was some variation across different disease groups, we found that only 14% of cells were transplanted. The median delay to transplantation was 19 months.

Conclusion: Together with recent advances in stem cell mobilisation techniques, results from this audit suggest that the practice may not be an effective use of limited health resources.