Plerixafor

Plerixafor, also known as Mozobil, is a medication used to stimulate the movement of stem cells from the bone marrow to the bloodstream. This process, called mobilization, is essential for the collection of these cells for transplantation or other medical procedures.
Plerixafor is a selective antagonist of the chemokine receptor CXCR4, which plays a crucial role in the retention of stem cells in the bone marrow. By blocking this receptor, plerixafor disrupts the adhesion of stem cells to the bone marrow, allowing them to enter the bloodstream and be collected more easily.
The medication is typically used in combination with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), another type of medication that stimulates the production of white blood cells. This combination therapy enhances the mobilization of stem cells and increases the yield of these cells during collection.
Plerixafor is primarily used in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, a procedure in which stem cells are collected from the patient or a donor and then reinfused to replace damaged bone marrow. This transplantation is often used in the treatment of various blood disorders, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma, as well as certain genetic diseases and immune system disorders.