38− DR − ), peripheral blood CD34 + cell (PBCD34 + ) count on first apheresis day, or various clinical factors were associated with low blood counts 6 months post ASCT. Thirty-four patients were excluded from analysis either because of death (n = 17) or reinduction chemotherapy prior to 6 months post ASCT (n = 13), or because of lack of follow-up data (n = 4). Of the remaining 136 patients, 46% had low WBC (Ͻ4 × 10 9 /l), 41% low platelets (Ͻ150 × 10 9 /l), and 34% low hemoglobin (Ͻ120 g/l) at a median of 6 months following ASCT. By Spearman's rank correlation, both the total CD34 + cell dose/kg and the PBCD34 + count correlated with 6 month blood counts better than any subset of CD34 + cells or any clinical factor. The PBCD34 + count was overall a stronger predictor of 6 month blood counts than was the total CD34 + cells/kg infused. Both factors retained their significance in multivariate analysis, controlling for clinical factors. In conclusion, subsets of CD34 + cells and clinical factors are inferior to the total CD34 + cell dose/kg and PBCD34 + count in predicting 6 month blood counts following ASCT. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2000) 26, 1299-1304.

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