Effective hematopoietic cell transplantation relies upon collecting adequate numbers of CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells, typically from peripheral blood. A minimum of ≥2 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg are necessary, while transplants of ≥5-6 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg are associated with improved hematopoietic recovery. Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) remains the gold standard for hematopoietic stem cell mobilization. However, in randomized trials for autologous-hematopoietic cell transplantation in multiple myeloma, approximately 45% of patients remain unable to optimally mobilize with G-CSF alone despite multiple injections and apheresis days. Therefore, reducing mobilization failures remains an unmet need. The study objective is to evaluate the superiority of one dose of BL-8040 plus G-CSF over placebo plus G-CSF to mobilize ≥6.0 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg in up to two apheresis days. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03246529.
Keywords: CXCR4/SDF-1 signaling; apheresis; autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation; multiple myeloma; stem cell mobilization.