To minimize side effects of transfusion, doctors often use transplanted stem cells that match the patient’s own stem cells. In most cases, success of allogeneic transplantation depends on how well the HLA antigens of the donor’s stem cells match the recipient’s stem cells. Stem cells or peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) are colleted from the blood stream of voluntary donor through aphaeresis procedure.
About 4 or 5 days before aphaeresis, the donor may be given medication to increase the number of stem cells released into the bloodstream. In aphaeresis, blood is collected through a large vein in the arm where it goes through a machine that separates and collects stem cells. Blood is then returned back to the donor. This procedure typically takes 4 to 6 hours. Donors can undertake this procedure in very comfortable environment under the supervision of medical doctors of Prathama. The collection stem cells are then frozen and given to patients when required.