Harvesting STEM cells through intra-apheresis EXercise (STEM-Ex)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Examining the clinical effectiveness, feasibility and acceptability of intra-apheresis cycling for peripheral blood stem cell donations
IRAS ID
326850
Contact name
Alex James Wadley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Over 90,000 people receive stem cell transplants every year worldwide for illnesses such as myeloma, a type of blood cancer. Stem cells are an ‘immature’ type of cell in the body and help to rebuild a person’s immune system after treatment. Before a transplant, a person with myeloma or healthy individual can donate stem cells for at least 3 hours, but this often requires multiple hospital visits to collect enough cells. As well the time burden, low numbers of stem cells are collected in 40% of donors, highlighting a clinical need to develop novel approaches.
The stem cell donation process involves individuals sitting for long periods of time whilst their cells are being collected. By adding pedals to the end of the donor’s chair, we have shown that brief periods of light cycling spaced out over 3 hours increases the number of stem cells in collected blood, and cells that improve survival in people with myeloma.
For this project, we will test this idea in a hospital for the first time by allocating donors with myeloma, or volunteer matched individuals to either ‘control’ (normal donation) or ‘cycling’ groups (plus donation). The ‘cycling’ group will be asked to pedal lightly for 4 minutes every 20 minutes whilst donating. We will test whether cycling improves the speed of the stem cell donation process, and whether it is practical and safe for donors. This project could significantly impact the survival and ongoing health of individuals with myeloma, and save NHS time, cost, and resources.
In a sub-study, a wider range of perceptions from healthcare professional and donors will be captured by deploying a survey at the Birmingham Centre for Cellular Therapy and Transplant, as well as external industry partners (Myeloma UK and Anthony Nolan). A smaller pilot survey will be conducted prior.
REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
26/NI/0009
Date of REC Opinion
12 Feb 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion