Stable response after administration of stem cell factor combined with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in aplastic anemia.
We report successful treatment with 25 microg/kg of recombinant methionyl human stem cell factor (SCF) combined with 400 microg/m2 of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in 2 patients with aplastic anemia refractory to immunosuppressive therapy. In one patient, hemoglobin levels increased from 6.4 g/dL to 11.3 g/dL after 36 weeks of SCF/G-CSF treatment. Thereafter, the platelet count (24.0 x 10(9)/L) began to improve without the therapy, and as of week 272, the platelet count was 125.0 x 10(9)/L with a leukocyte count of 8.4 x 10(9)/L and a hemoglobin level of 12.9 g/dL. In the other patient, more than 3 years of SCF/G-CSF treatment ameliorated hemoglobin levels and platelet counts from 5.8 g/dL to 15.9 g/dL and 8.0 x 10(9)/L to 50.0 x 10(9)/L, respectively. After cessation of SCF/G-CSF treatment, the positive response was sustained, and the platelet count improved further to 71.0 x 10(9)/L as of week 242. These observations suggest the clinical benefit of SCF/G-CSF administration to patients with refractory aplastic anemia.
Usuki
Kensuke
K
Division of Hematology, NTT Kanto Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan. urabe@kmc.east.ntt.co.jp
Iki
Seiko
S
Arai
Shunya
S
Iijima
Kimiko
K
Takaku
Fumimaro
F
Urabe
Akio
A
D000368:Aged; D000741:Anemia, Aplastic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects; D019089:Stem Cell Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
D006454:Hemoglobins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D019089:Stem Cell Factor; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; C105861:ancestim