Cryopreservation Protocols and Post-Thaw Viability of Haematopoietic Stem Cell Grafts: A Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22237740Keywords:
haematopoietic stem cells; cryopreservation; dimethyl sulfoxide; post-thaw viability; engraftmentAbstract
Background: Autologous haematopoietic grafts are routinely frozen under a protocol that is inherited rather than optimised.
Objective: To review the evidence on cryoprotectant concentration, freezing method and storage, and on what post-thaw
assays predict.
Methods: Narrative review of clinical and laboratory studies of progenitor cell cryopreservation.
Findings: A randomised comparison of 10%, 7.5% and 5% dimethyl sulfoxide found no difference in engraftment and fewer
adverse reactions at 5%. Post-thaw recovery does not predict engraftment; the absolute reinfused viable CD34+ dose does.
Viability dyes, colony assays and aldehyde dehydrogenase activity disagree.
Conclusions: Reducing DMSO is well supported. Post-thaw viability is a release check on the dose delivered, not a proxy for
graft function.
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