RecruitingInterventional

Examining the clinical effectiveness, feasibility and acceptability of intra-apheresis cycling for peripheral blood stem cell donations

This study explores how to improve stem cell collections for people with myeloma, a type of blood cancer. Currently, collecting enough stem cells can take a long time, often over several hospital visits. Researchers previously found that light cycling during the donation process might increase the number of stem cells collected. This new study wants to find out if patients and volunteer donors with myeloma can comfortably cycle briefly during their stem cell donation. They'll also check if this helps collect more cells, potentially leading to more successful transplants. The goal is to see if this simple idea could be used in hospitals in the future to make things better for patients and donors.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Birmingham

Enrolment target

Start

01 Jun 2026

Estimated completion

31 Mar 2027

Multiple myeloma

What is this study about?

Imagine you or someone you know needs a stem cell transplant for a condition like myeloma, which is a type of blood cancer. To do this, special cells called stem cells need to be collected from a healthy donor's blood. This process, called a stem cell collection, can take at least three hours, and sometimes even several hospital visits, to gather enough cells. Because it can be such a long process and sometimes it's hard to get enough cells, doctors are always looking for better ways to do it.

Researchers have been looking into a new, simple idea. They found that if someone gently cycles during their stem cell donation, it might help collect more of the important stem cells and other blood cells needed for a successful transplant. So, this study wants to test this idea properly. They want to see if people with myeloma and healthy volunteers who are donating stem cells can comfortably do a bit of light cycling during the collection. They'll also check if this actually helps collect more cells and leads to better outcomes for the transplant.

The main goal of this study is to see if this gentle exercise can make stem cell collection more effective and easier for everyone involved. If it works well, this simple method could become a regular part of how stem cells are collected in hospitals. This could make a real difference for people with myeloma and other conditions needing these life-saving transplants.

Key takeaways

This study investigates if light cycling during stem cell donation helps collect more cells.
It aims to improve stem cell transplants for people with myeloma.
Participants will either have a standard donation or standard plus short bursts of light cycling.
Risks are minimal, mainly related to standard donation and blood samples.
Benefits include helping improve future care and receiving an activity report.
You can stop participating at any time if you wish.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for two main groups of people to take part: patients with myeloma who are scheduled to have their own stem cells collected, and healthy volunteers who are donating stem cells to someone else.

For both groups, you need to be over 18 years old and be able to understand and agree to take part in the study. You also need to be well enough to do some light pedalling for a short period during your stem cell collection, and your doctor must agree that it's safe for you.

There are also a few reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if your blood pressure isn't well controlled, if you've had a stem cell transplant before, or if you have severe joint problems that would make cycling difficult, you wouldn't be able to participate.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you over 18 years old?
Do you have myeloma and a scheduled stem cell collection OR are you a volunteer donor with a scheduled stem cell collection?
Can you comfortably do light pedalling for short periods (up to 12 minutes per hour)?
Does your doctor agree you are well enough to participate in light exercise?
Do you have well-controlled blood pressure and no severe joint problems that would prevent cycling?
Have you recently had a stem cell transplant yourself (if you are a patient donor)? If yes, you might not be eligible.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you’ll first go through a screening process to make sure the study is right for you. Then, you'll be randomly placed into one of two groups. One group will have the standard stem cell collection procedure, just as planned. The other group will also have the standard collection, but with the added activity of light cycling. If you're in the cycling group, you'll gently pedal for about 4 minutes every 20 minutes during your stem cell donation session.

Before and after your stem cell collection, a small amount of blood will be taken from your arm for research purposes. This is separate from the stem cells being collected for transplant and won't affect them. The stem cell collection process itself remains the same for everyone. The study will run from June 2026 to March 2027.

Potential risks and benefits

By taking part, you’ll be helping doctors understand if a simple exercise can improve stem cell collections, which could benefit many patients in the future. You’ll also get a report of your activity levels during the study. The main risks involve the usual procedure for collecting stem cells, which your medical team will discuss with you. For the research blood samples, there's a small sting from the needle and a very low risk of bruising or infection, expertly managed by staff. The amount of blood taken is very small and won't affect your health. The cycling is very light, so serious risks are extremely low, but you might feel a little tired for a short time. You can stop exercising at any point if you feel uncomfortable. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Approximate
Birmingham, England

Common questions

What is myeloma?

Myeloma is a type of blood cancer that affects plasma cells, a kind of white blood cell found in the bone marrow.

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are special cells in your body that can develop into different types of blood cells, like red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Will the cycling be difficult?

No, the cycling is designed to be very light, like a gentle pedal, and only for short bursts (4 minutes every 20 minutes).

Where is the study taking place?

The study is being run at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, UK.

Who can I contact for more information?

You can contact Phoebe Cox at stemex@contacts.bham.ac.uk for more details.

How to find out more

Phoebe Cox

p.cox.2@bham.ac.uk - Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.