[Growth factors in therapy of life threatening leukopenia].

Abstract

We have tested granulocyte/macrophage-colony-stimulating-factor (rhGM-CSF, fully glycosylated, Sandoz, Schering/Plough) in 40 patients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. The drug enhanced leukocyte recovery in 5 different dose levels (2-32 micrograms/kg body weight) if given by continuous intravenous infusion or subcutaneously for 5 days. Patients who received rhGM-CSF during neutropenic infections (n = 32) survived significantly better if they recovered leukocytes to at least 1.5 x 10(9)/l. In patients with myelodysplastic syndromes and excess of blasts (n = 82) remission could be induced in nearly 50% if the drug was given together with low dose cytosine arabinoside (LD-AraC). The results of these phase-II-studies show that rhGM-CSF is a safe drug which may save many patients from life-threatening situations during haematopoietic insufficiency.

• Authors: H Gerhartz
• Journal: Versicherungsmedizin (Versicherungsmedizin) Vol. 44 Issue 3 Pg. 80-4 (Jun 01 1992) ISSN: 0933-4548 [Print] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Wachstumsfaktoren in der Therapie lebensbedrohlicher Leukopenien.
• PMID: 1621326 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Recombinant Proteins
• Cytarabine
• Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor

Topics

• Cytarabine (therapeutic use)
• Drug Evaluation
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin (therapy)
• Myelodysplastic Syndromes (therapy)
• Neutropenia (chemically induced, therapy)
• Recombinant Proteins (therapeutic use)