Treatment of clozapine-induced agranulocytosis with recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.
BACKGROUND
Is clozapine-induced agranulocytosis amenable to treatment with recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rG-CSF)? Will this treatment provide benefits in terms of morbidity, mortality, and costs compared with current treatment?


METHODS
Five patients with clozapine-induced agranulocytosis (granulocytes < 500/cu mm) were treated with the rG-CSF filgrastim, in addition to standard agranulocytosis therapy protocol.


RESULTS
Time from onset until resolution of agranulocytosis was 8.2 +/- 2.1 days compared with a historical study of seven cases where filgrastim was not used and 15.7 +/- 3.7 days were required for resolution.


CONCLUSIONS
rG-CSF (filgrastim) may be an effective and cost-reducing way to provide improved treatment for clozapine-induced agranulocytosis. More research is required.
Gullion
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Napa State Hospital, Calif.
Yeh
H S
HS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000380:Agranulocytosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D000069585:Filgrastim; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D003024:Clozapine; D000069585:Filgrastim