Leucocyte depletion filter removes cancer cells in human blood

BACKGROUND: Autologous blood transfusion has been avoided in cancer surgery because of the metastatic potential of reinfused tumour cells. METHODS: This study evaluated the efficacy of a blood transfusion filter in removing tumour cells from blood. Whole human blood was admixed with two different malignant cell lines (breast cancer PM1 and MCF7). The blood was filtered through a RC400TE leucocyte depletion filter. Unfiltered blood was used as a control. Detection of malignant cells was performed with immunomagnetic beads and clonogenic assays. RESULTS: No viable tumour cells were found after filtration with the leucocyte depletion filter. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the use of a leucocyte filter after intra-operative blood salvage may make autotransfusion safe even in tumour surgery.