A new drug (Filgrastim) to collect blood stem cells from unrelated healthy donors for transplant

You may qualify if

• PBSC donors must meet the same criteria as NMDP marrow donors. These criteria are set forth in the Donor Center Manual of Operations.
• Confirmatory pregnancy test must be performed within 15 days of collection and prior to the start of filgrastim administration; this may require more than one test to be performed.

You can't join if

• Pregnancy or uninterruptible breastfeeding. Pregnancy is an absolute contraindication under this protocol. Women who are breastfeeding must be willing and able to interrupt breastfeeding during the administration of filgrastim and for two days following the final dose.
• Sensitivity to filgrastim or to E. coli-derived recombinant protein products.
• History of autoimmune disorders, including rheumatic diseases and thyroid disorders. Exception: As with bone marrow donations, donors with a history of thyroid disease who have undergone successful therapy may be suitable.
• History of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
• History of iritis or episcleritis.
• Thrombocytopenia < 150 x 10^9/L (< 150,000/uL) at baseline evaluation.
• Current treatment with lithium. Drug interactions between filgrastim and lithium, which may potentiate the release of neutrophils, have not been fully evaluated.
• Positive Hemoglobin-Solubility (e.g., SickleDex or equivalent) test.
• Donors receiving experimental therapy or investigational agents.
• Positive pregnancy test collected/reported prior to start of filgrastim.