Table 1

Published human clinical trials comparing outcomes following isolation of stem cells from bone marrow vs peripheral blood.
Authors	Type of cancer	No. of pats	RCT/CT	Conclusion

Storek et al [42]	Haematological malignancies	140	RCT	PBSC yields higher lymphocyte subset counts and is associated with fewer infections
Hernandez et al [43]	Haematological malignancies	12	RCT	No significant difference in T, B and NK lymphoid cells reconstitution but PBSC influence faster reconstitution of cytotoxic subsets (CD8+/HLADR+ and NK lymphoid cells)
Talmadge et al [18]	Intermediate and high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma	116	RCT	The CD4:CD8 and CD45RA:CD45RO ratios were higher in the PBSC group. Accelerated reconstitution of NK cell activity following PBSC compared to BM.
Oehler et al [115]	Chronic myeloid leukaemia	72	CT	No statistically significant difference in acute or chronic GVHD, OS and disease free survival.
Heldal et al [116]	Haematological malignancies	61	CT	Statistically significant enhanced graft versus leukemia effect in allo PBSC group
Couban et al [41]	Haematological malignancies	228	RCT	Faster haematological recovery and improved survival in PBSC but no difference in GVHD
Nucci et al [117]	Haematological malignancies	56	RCT	Shorter duration of neutropenia in PBSC group but higher incidence of extensive chronic GVHD
Powles et al [118]	Haematological malignancies	39	RCT	Faster haematopoietic and immune recovery in PBSC and no difference in GVHDand OS
Mahmoud et al [119]	Haematological malignancies	30	RCT	Faster haematopoietic reconstitution in PBSC group with no difference in GVHD

Keys: RCT – Randomised Control Trial, CT – Controlled Trial, PBSC – Peripheral Blood Stem Cells, NK – Natural Killer, CD8, CD4, CD45RA & CD45RO – Different types of T Cells, HLA – Human Leucocyte Antigen, GVHD – Graft Vs Host Disease, OS – Overall Survival, Pats – Patients, No – Number.
Sagar et al. Cancer Cell International 2007 7:9 doi:10.1186/1475-2867-7-9