Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) as adjunct therapy in relapsed-resistant high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
BACKGROUND
Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) safely stimulates the production of neutrophils in normal people and neutropenic patients. Phase II studies have been completed that explored the role of G-CSF in either abrogating or accelerating recovery from chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.


METHODS
Fourteen patients with resistant/relapsed high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were treated with a dexamethasone, cytarabine and cisplatin (DHAP) regimen, and with G-CSF between chemotherapeutic courses.


RESULTS
All patients showed a rise in neutrophil count; none was neutropenic when hospitalized for subsequent DHAP courses. Furthermore, the interval between cycles was decreased in 11 of the 14 patients. The overall response rate was 86%, with 4 patients obtaining complete remission.


CONCLUSIONS
Administration of G-CSF was associated with an acceleration of neutrophil recovery, indicating its potential to reduce the risk of infection and to maintain planned chemotherapy doses.
Zinzani
P L
PL
Istituto di Ematologia L. e A. Seràgnoli, Università di Bologna, Italy.
Martelli
M
M
Tura
S
S
Mandelli
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000628:therapy*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012074:Remission Induction; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
D007155:Immunologic Factors; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D003561:Cytarabine; D001761:Bleomycin; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D014750:Vincristine; D003907:Dexamethasone; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D002945:Cisplatin; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil; D011241:Prednisone; D008727:Methotrexate