Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in neutropenic, pediatric solid tumor patients following chemotherapy.
Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been used to reduce the duration and/or degree of neutropenia of different etiologies in recent years. In this study, experience with the use of G-CSF (Neupogen, Roche) after 123 courses of highly myelosuppressive chemotherapy administered to 31 (20 female, 11 male) patients with pediatric solid tumors is reported. G-CSF was initiated at a white blood cell (WBC) count of 918 +/- 452/microL (100-2000), at a dose of 7.6 +/- 2.3 micrograms/kg/d (5-14) subcutaneously for 5.2 +/- 2.4 days (2-18). G-CSF was given for afebrile neutropenia after 82 and for febrile neutropenia after 41 courses. Only in two episodes where G-CSF was given for afebrile neutropenia, fever developed. The average hospitalization period for febrile neutropenia was 9.8 +/- 3.3 days (5-20). Chemotherapy could be given on scheduled time and dosage in 90% of the courses in which G-CSF was used for afebrile neutropenia. G-CSF was well tolerated. Bone pain was observed in two patients and urticaria in one patient. In conclusion, G-CSF increased the WBC count effectively, there were only two febrile episodes in 82 courses in children receiving G-CSF for afebrile neutropenia, it was well tolerated, and it was found to be feasible for use in a developing country.
Ayan
I
I
Oncology Institute, University of Istanbul, Turkey.
Kebudi
R
R
Doğan
S
S
Tokuç
G
G
Görgün
O
O
D000293:Adolescent; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D001855:Bone Marrow Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000191:economics; D016527:Drug Costs; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014581:Urticaria / Q000139:chemically induced
D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor