Open Access

Soo-Zin Kim-Wanner, Gesine Bug, Juliane Steinmann, Salem Ajib, Nadine Sorg, Carolin Poppe, Milica Bunos, Eva Wingenfeld, Christiane Hümmer, Beate Luxembourg, Erhard Seifried, Halvard-Björn Bönig

• Background: Red blood cell (RBC) depletion is a standard graft manipulation technique for ABO-incompatible bone marrow (BM) transplants. The BM processing module for Spectra Optia, “BMC”, was previously introduced. We here report the largest series to date of routine quality data after performing 50 clinical-scale RBC-depletions. Methods: Fifty successive RBC-depletions from autologous (n = 5) and allogeneic (n = 45) BM transplants were performed with the Spectra Optia BMC apheresis suite. Product quality was assessed before and after processing for volume, RBC and leukocyte content; RBC-depletion and stem cell (CD34+ cells) recovery was calculated there from. Clinical engraftment data were collected from 26/45 allogeneic recipients. Results: Median RBC removal was 98.2% (range 90.8–99.1%), median CD34+ cell recovery was 93.6%, minimum recovery being 72%, total product volume was reduced to 7.5% (range 4.7–23.0%). Products engrafted with expected probability and kinetics. Performance indicators were stable over time. Discussion: Spectra Optia BMC is a robust and efficient technology for RBC-depletion and volume reduction of BM, providing near-complete RBC removal and excellent CD34+ cell recovery.