stem cell harvest, peripheral blood

stem cell harvest, peripheral blood A technique for obtaining stem cells from the patient’s blood for use in bone marrow transplantation. The stem cells are lured out of the bone marrow with a special regimen of drugs. The blood is then filtered through a machine, and the stem cells are skimmed off. They can be used right away or stored in liquid nitrogen until needed. Also known as apheresis. See also stem cell transplantation.