Recombinant Human Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor (rh G-CSF) in Standard Chemotherapy of Hodgkin's Disease

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of recombinant granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) administered following cytotoxic chemotherapy in Hodgkin’s disease. Total number of 26 courses of rhG-CSF were applied in 19 patients with Hodgkin’s disease aged 15 to 61 (median 44) years. They received MOPP (Nitrogen Mustard, Vincritine, Procarbazine, Prednisone) chemotherapy every 28 days. rhG-CSF was given at a dose of 5μ/kg daily and subcutaneously from day 2 nd to 6 th day 8 th to 20 th unless the neutrophil count exceeded 10.000/mm 3 , in which case rhG-CSF discontinued. The outcome was compared with 24 prognostically similar control patients treated with the same chemotherapy without rhG-CSF. Recovery of granulocyte counts above 1000/ mm 3 was significantly faster in the rhG-CSF treated group (3 ±0.72 days vs 7±0.81 days; p<0.001). The incidence of febrile neutropenia and empiric parenteral antibiotic use were lower in study patients (%36 vs %64 ; p<0.05). But there was no reduction in the incidence of documented infections. Full doses of chemotherapy could be given on time to 26/26 (%100) rhG-CSF patients but to only 18/24 (%75) controls (p<0.01). All patients tolerated cytokine treatment well. Our results showed that rhG-CSF has an important role in decreasing period of neutropenia maintaining chemotherapy schedule and allowing patients to receive full doses of chemotherapy on time. [Journal of Turgut Ozal Medical Center 1998;5(1):24-29]