Abstract
Background and Objectives: The use of cryopreserved hematopoietic cells in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) has become widespread all over the world and in our country, especially after the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. This situation has increased the importance of the effect of cryopreservation on engraftment, the incidence of transplantation-related complications, and the survival of patients. This study aimed to compare the transplant results between the patient group receiving peripheral blood-derived cryopreserved cells and the patient group receiving fresh products in patients over the age of 18 who had hematological diseases and underwent allogeneic HCT. Materials and Methods: A total of 222 patients over the age of 18 with hematological diseases who underwent allogeneic HCT were included in the study. Neutrophil engraftment time, platelet engraftment time, disease-free survival, overall survival, graft versus host disease incidence, cytomegalovirus reactivation/infection and transplant-related mortality rates were retrospectively compared between the cryopreserved and fresh product groups. Results: No significant difference was found between the cryopreserved and fresh product groups in terms of median age, gender, body weight, hematological disease subtype, disease status before HCT, Sorror comorbidity index, blood group compatibility, and preparation regimen intensity. On the other hand, the haploidentical HCT count was higher in the fresh cell group. The number of CD34+ stem cells received by patients receiving cryopreserved products was lower than the number of CD34+ stem cells received by patients receiving fresh products. No significant difference was found between the cryopreserved and fresh product groups in terms of platelet and neutrophil engraftment time, engraftment failure rate, cytomegalovirus reactivation/infection rate in the first 100 days after HCT, development of graft versus host disease, transplant-related death, disease-free survival and overall survival. Conclusions: Cryopreservation and cell storage is very important in order to prevent complications such as delays in the patient's transplantation process due to donor-related problems, prolonged hospital stay, and related complications. When done properly, cryopreservation can produce HCT outcomes similar to those obtained with fresh products.