Abstract
Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) represents an effective therapy for many haematological malignancies.The procedure consists of administration of high dose chemotherapy and infusion of autologous stem cell graft. First the hematopoietic (HSC) stem cells are collected form peripheral blood after G-CSF mobilization, then cryopreserved and stored in liquid nitrogen.
The aim of this study is to prove sustaining high quality of cells cryopreserved for several years and to compare viability, metabolic activity, mitochondrial and differentiation potential of native, short-term and long-term cryopreservated stem cells. Our results proved that long-term storage of cryopreservated stem cell does not impair their potential to regenerate haematopoiesis after high-dose chemotherapy.
Cryopreservation also does not affect metabolic and mitochondrial potential and autologous grafts can be used safely even after years of storage.