title: Simultaneous administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (Filgrastim) and induction chemotherapy in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. A pilot study.
abstract: The present study was designed to determine whether Filgrastim, a neutrophil-specific hematopoietic growth factor, could be administered simultaneously with intensive induction chemotherapy for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The effect of Filgrastim on the severity of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, fever, and infections was assessed in 15 patients treated according to the protocol of the German multicenter ALL (GMALL) trial 04/89. Filgrastim (5 micrograms/kg/day) was given concurrently with successive cycles of cyclophosphamide, cytosine-arabinoside (ara-C), 6-mercaptopurine (6MP), prednisone (PRD), intrathecal methotrexate, and prophylactic cranial irradiation. During the study period the median total duration of severe neutropenia (< 0.5 x 10(9)/l) in 13 evaluable patients was 8 days, individual periods of neutropenia typically were short. Infections occurred in six patients; seven patients remained fever-free during treatment with Filgrastim. We conclude that simultaneous treatment with Filgrastim and chemotherapy in this specific setting is feasible and well tolerated. The efficacy of this treatment approach in terms of overall treatment results requires further testing in a randomized trial.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Hämatologie, Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: O G
authors.initials: OG
authors.lastname: Ottmann
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ganser
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Freund
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Heil
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hiddemann
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Heit
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gracien
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hoelzer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D000069585:Filgrastim; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015459:Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000187:drug effects; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D000069585:Filgrastim