Superoxide production by neutrophils in children with malignant tumors treated with recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.
BACKGROUND
Human recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF), widely used to combat chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, stimulates both in vivo and in vitro intra- and extra-cellular O2- production in human polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs).


METHODS
Twelve patients with solid tumors or acute lymphoblastic leukemia were treated during induced aplasia with rhG-CSF (5 micrograms/kg/day). Intra- and extracellular O2- production by PMNs isolated from these patients after 5 days of rhG-CSF therapy was assessed following both fMLP and PMA stimulation.


RESULTS
All patients showed a rise in PMN count; administration of rhG-CSF enhanced intra- and extracellular O2- release after fMLP but not after PMA stimulation.


CONCLUSIONS
rhG-CSF potentiates in vivo O2- production by PMNs stimulated with receptor-mediated agonists via G-protein (e.g. fMLP), but not by those stimulated with agonists that bypass receptors via protein kinase C (e.g. PMA).
Iacobini
M
M
Institute of Pediatrics, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
Palumbo
G
G
Bartolozzi
S
S
Mondaini
C
C
Castello
M
M
Clerico
A
A
Perla
F M
FM
Werner
B
B
Digilio
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013481:Superoxides / Q000097:blood*
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013481:Superoxides; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor