SummaryTreatment of severe arteriosclerosis obliterans of lower extremities (ASOLE) remains a clinical challenge. To develop a more effective approach, we evaluated the clinical efficacy of autologous transplantation of mobilized peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) in 5 patients with ASOLE. The patients received recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF, 600 μg/day) for 5 consecutive days. On day 5, PBSCs were collected, sorted from blood circulation of patients, and then intramuscularly injected into their ischemic lower limbs. A significant improvement of clinical manifestations including severe pain, skin temperature and ulcer, was observed, without obvious adverse effect. The patient’s limb was successfully saved. Satisfactory remission was obtained 3 months after transplantation as shown by significant improvement in anklebrachial pressure index (ABI), blood flow in personal vascular laboratory (PVL), laser Doppler blood perfusion, and the angiographic scores. Our data suggest for the first time that autologous transplantation of mobilized PBSCs provides a practical, safe, and effective method of treatment for lower limb ischemia.
Phase II study of autologous transplantation with interleukin-2-incubated peripheral blood stem cells and posttransplantation interleukin-2 in relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma
