Return of granulocyte transfusions.
Recently, several groups have begun to administer granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), a hematopoietic growth factor, with or without dexamethasone to mobilize peripheral blood neutrophils. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (600 microg subcutaneously) and dexamethasone (8 mg orally) given 12 hours before standard leukapheresis routinely results in the collection of approximately 80 x 10(9) granulocytes. This number of cells is sufficient to increase the neutrophil count of a severely neutropenic patient to normal and restore the recipients' ability to develop a neutrophil response in tissues. Several trials are ongoing to establish the clinical benefit of this new approach to supportive care for neutropenic patients.
Dale
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DC
Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195-6422, USA.
Liles
W C
WC
D002648:Child; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D017708:Leukocyte Transfusion; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D003907:Dexamethasone