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Autografting

Variation in dimethyl sulfoxide use in stem cell transplantation: a survey of EBMT centres

Bone Marrow Transplantation volume 36, pages 601–603 (2005)Cite this article

Summary:

The cryoprotectant dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is known to have toxic side effects, yet guidelines for its use in stem cell transplantation do not exist. To assess current practice in the use of DMSO and the incidence of DMSO-related complications, a single page questionnaire was mailed to 444 EBMT centres involved in autologous transplantation. The responses from 97 centres showed a wide variation in practice between transplant units regarding the concentration of DMSO used, daily DMSO dose restriction and the use of cell washing. The overall incidence of DMSO toxicity was approximately one in 70 transplants and most cases were cardiovascular and respiratory in nature. There was a trend to reduced complication rates in centres using lower concentrations of DMSO or washing cells prior to return. A large-scale prospective study of the strategies for reduction in exposure to DMSO and reduction in toxic effects is required before guidelines in the use of DMSO in stem cell cryopreservation can be promulgated.

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Acknowledgements

This paper was supported by the European Community Framework 6 Leukemianet and the German Network Akute Leukämien.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Haematology, Belfast City Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland

    P Windrum, T C M Morris & M B Drake

  2. Division of Haematology and Oncology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany

    D Niederwieser

  3. Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland

    T Ruutu

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on behalf of the EBMT Chronic Leukaemia Working Party Complications Subcommittee

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Correspondence to T C M Morris.

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Windrum, P., Morris, T., Drake, M. et al. Variation in dimethyl sulfoxide use in stem cell transplantation: a survey of EBMT centres. Bone Marrow Transplant 36, 601–603 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bmt.1705100

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