Real-world comparison of COBE2991 and LOVO Med devices for the post-thaw washing of peripheral blood stem cells and donor lymphocyte infusions

Post-thaw washing of cryopreserved hematopoietic stem cell products is essential to reduce dimethyl sulfoxide concentration and toxicity. This procedure is routinely performed in French cell therapy units. Following the discontinuation of the COBE2991 device, alternative technologies such as the LOVO Med automated closed system have been evaluated. We retrospectively compared the COBE2991 and LOVO Med for washing peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) products and donor lymphocyte infusions (DLIs). A total of 946 products processed between September 2021 and October 2023 were included. The parameters assessed were recovery of CD34+, CD45+ and CD3+ cells, viability, processing time, infusion-related adverse events and engraftment. LOVO Med demonstrated a significantly higher median CD34+ cells recovery in autologous PBSCs group (88.5% vs. 84.9%; P = 0.0012). Post-thaw CD45+ viability remained acceptable in both groups, although it was slightly lower with LOVO Med (89.6% vs. 91.8%; P = 0.023). CD3+ yields and viabilities were similar between DLIs. Processing time was shorter with LOVO Med (59 vs. 69 min; P < 0.0001). No differences in adverse events or engraftment were observed. LOVO Med is a safe and efficient alternative to COBE2991 for post-thaw cell therapy product washing, with comparable clinical outcomes.