The application of hematopoietic growth factors in drug-induced agranulocytosis: a review of 70 cases.

Abstract

Since 1989, granulocyte-macrophage and granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (GM-CSF, G-CSF) have been increasingly applied in the treatment of drug-induced agranulocytosis. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of GM-CSF and G-CSF in the treatment of drug-induced agranulocytosis, we have studied all reported cases (n = 70) treated with GM-CSF and G-CSF, including ten patients treated during the last 2 years in The Netherlands. The results demonstrate that patients with a severe granulocytopenia (< 0.1 x 10(9)/l) treated with hematopoietic growth factors had a significantly faster recovery of the peripheral blood granulocytes compared to previous published studies. At the same time, a significantly lower mortality rate was observed. In patients with a severe granulocytopenia treated with GM-CSF or G-CSF a mortality rate of 5% was noted. No difference in granulocyte recovery was observed in patients treated with GM-CSF or G-CSF. The results of this review indicate that G-CSF and GM-CSF enhance the recovery of the myeloid lineage, resulting in a faster normalization of the peripheral blood granulocyte count and a reduced incidence of fatal complications.

• Authors: A Sprikkelman, J T de Wolf, E Vellenga
• Journal: Leukemia (Leukemia) Vol. 8 Issue 12 Pg. 2031-6 (Dec 1994) ISSN: 0887-6924 [Print] England
• PMID: 7528854 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Hematopoietic Cell Growth Factors
• Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
• Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor

Topics

• Agranulocytosis (blood, chemically induced, therapy)
• Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (therapeutic use)
• Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (therapeutic use)
• Granulocytes
• Hematopoietic Cell Growth Factors (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Leukocyte Count