Etoposide as moderate dose with granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor for mobilization of autologous peripheral blood stem/progenitor cells in patients with malignant lymphoma

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of moderate-dose of etoposide (VP16) with granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for mobilization of peripheral blood stem/progenitor cells.Methods VP16 at 1.2 g/m2 was injected intravenously by six divided doses via a central vein, 2 times every 12 hours for 3 days in 31 patients with malignant lymphoma (30 non-Hodgkin lymphoma and 1 Hodgkin lymphoma). All patients received G-CSF 5 μg/kg were given twice daily subcutaneously from the day of the nadir of white blood cell (WBC) till the day before the last APBSC harvest. Results The mean time for the collection of stem cell was 12 days (10-15) following etoposide chemotherapy. The mean number of mononuclear cell (MNC) and CD+34 cells in collection were 7.8×108/kg (5.2-11.3×108) and 7.2×106/kg (5.3-13.1×106). respectively. 18 patients completed collection with a single apheresis, and 13 patients underwenttwice. All patients were recovered for haematopoiesis in following APBSCT. Median (range) time for the recovery of absolute neutrophil count (ANC)＞0.5×109/L and platelet＞20×109/L were+12 (+9-+18) days and +14 (+10-+21) days respectively. Slight adverse events coursed by the regimen could be tolerated. Conclusion VP16 at moderate dose with G-CSF is an effective and safe mobilizing regimen for autologous peripheral blood stem/progenitor cells in patients with malignant lymphoma. It was suggested to use extensively. Key words: Lymphoma;  Etoposide;  Granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor; , Hematopoietic stem cell mobilization