Plerixafor for stem cell mobilization: The current status

Purpose of review: Nowadays, plerixafor is approved for patients who fail to mobilize sufficient CD34+ cells for an autologous stem cell transplantation. Plerixafor is effective in the majority of these patients, who otherwise could not be treated adequately. We discussed in this review the current status of the optimal use of plerixafor in different clinical diagnoses and settings.

Recent findings: Plerixafor seems to be more effective in patients with multiple myeloma than in lymphoma. Even patients who had very low circulating CD34+ cells before administration of plerixafor have an important benefit. Several strategies in different clinical settings showed an effective response after administration of plerixafor, without the superiority of one strategy. Plerixafor is well tolerated with acceptable toxicity; however, it is an expensive drug.

Summary: Plerixafor is an effective drug in patients who fail to mobilize with conventional strategy. No strategy seems superior for the optimal use of plerixafor. More studies focusing on the kinetics and cost-effectiveness are needed.