Abstract | PURPOSE: Radiation-induced leukopenia can cause a delay or discontinuation of radiotherapy. This complication can be overcome with the use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor ( G-CSF). However, an uncertainty exists regarding the mode of application of G-CSF in patients treated with radiotherapy. For this reason, the efficacy of two strategies for the administration of G-CSF in irradiated patients was compared in a prospective randomized clinical study. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Forty-one patients who developed leukopenia (< 2.5 x 10(9) per liter) while undergoing radiotherapy were treated with G-CSF at a daily dose of 5 microg/kg. The first group received single injections of G-CSF as required (n = 21). The second group received G-CSF on at least 3 consecutive days (n = 20). An analysis was made of the changes in leukocyte counts, the number of days on which radiotherapy had to be interrupted, and the side effects of growth-factor treatment. RESULTS: An increase in leukocyte values in the peripheral blood was observed in all patients treated with G-CSF. In the group which received G-CSF when required, two injections (range: 1-8) were administered in most cases. In the second group, most of the patients received three injections (range: 3-9). The average duration of therapy interruptions due to leukopenia was 4.8 days (0-28) in the first therapy arm and 2.5 (0-20) in the second arm. The variance in the duration of therapy interruptions between the two groups was not significant (p = 0.2). Radiotherapy had to be terminated in two patients due to thrombocytopenia but the application of G-CSF did not seem to be a reason of decreasing platelet counts. CONCLUSIONS: Our results reveal that G-CSF is safe and effective in the treatment of radiation-induced leukopenia regardless of the mode of application. Because the calculated difference related to radiation treatment interruptions has no clinical relevance, both approaches examined in our study appear reasonable.
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Authors | I A Adamietz, B Rosskopf, F D Dapper, H von Lieven, H D Boettcher |
Journal | International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics
(Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys)
Vol. 35
Issue 1
Pg. 61-7
(Apr 01 1996)
ISSN: 0360-3016 [Print] United States |
PMID | 8641928
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
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Chemical References |
- Recombinant Proteins
- Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Female
- Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
(therapeutic use)
- Humans
- Leukopenia
(etiology, therapy)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Radiotherapy
(adverse effects)
- Recombinant Proteins
(therapeutic use)
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