title: DCEP chemotherapy followed by a single, fixed dose of pegylated filgrastim allows adequate stem cell mobilization in multiple myeloma patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pegylated filgrastim (PEG-f), a long-lasting granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor, has been used in different hematologic conditions to shorten chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and to mobilize peripheral blood stem cells. Data on mobilization efficacy in patients with multiple myeloma are, however, still limited.
  
  
  METHODS
  The feasibility and mobilizing capacity of DCEP chemotherapy followed by a single subcutaneous dose of 6 mg of PEG-f in 23 myeloma patients (11 females and 12 males) whose median age was 55 years (range, 31-67 years) were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median number of CD34+ cells collected was 5.72 x 10(6) per kg body weight with a range between 0 x 10(6) and 29.4 x 10(6) per kg body weight. Twenty patients (87%) yielded more than 2 x 10(6) per kg body weight CD34+ cells. Among the 22 patients who mobilized some CD34+ cells, 27 leukapheresis procedures were carried out (a single leukapheresis procedure in 17 patients and 2 leukapheresis procedures in 5). The median interval between the start of chemotherapy and the first leukapheresis procedure was 12 days (range, 11-16 days). With regard to tolerability, 7 patients complained of mild to moderate back pain, controlled with oral analgesics. No patient was hospitalized, and no fever or infections occurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results, compared with those previously reported for the DCEP-filgrastim combination, suggest that DCEP chemotherapy followed by PEG-f is a promising combination to mobilize peripheral blood stem cells in myeloma patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology, Foundation IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy. p.zappasodi@smatteo.pv.it
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zappasodi
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Nosari
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Astori
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ciapanna
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bonfichi
authors.forename: Marzia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Varettoni
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mangiacavalli
authors.forename: Enrica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Morra
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lazzarino
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Corso
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000378:metabolism; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D000069585:Filgrastim; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019650:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007937:Leukapheresis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C486981:pegylated granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, human; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D005047:Etoposide; D003907:Dexamethasone; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D000069585:Filgrastim; D002945:Cisplatin