Stem cell mobilization and harvesting is the process of stimulating stem cells to move from the bone marrow into the bloodstream, where they can be collected for later use in a bone marrow transplant. This outpatient procedure is a critical first step for both patients undergoing autologous transplant and donors contributing cells for allogeneic transplant.
Mobilization and harvesting is needed before an autologous transplant to collect the patient's own stem cells, or for a donor preparing to contribute stem cells for an allogeneic transplant.