GM-CSF: clinical trials in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients with chemotherapy induced leucopenia

Fourteen patients (M/F, 6/8; age, 48/23-64 yrs) with relapsing or primary resistant intermediate-high grade non-Hodgkin lymphomas were treated with ARA-C (2 g/m2 x 4 on days 1 and 2), DDP (100 mg/m2 96 hr infusion) and VP-16 (150 mg/m2 on days 1, 2 and 3). GM-CSF or placebo was administered from the 5th day until neutrophil count reached greater than or equal to 1000/microliters on 2 consecutive days. Three PR and 6 CR were documented. Two CR pts are still in CR at 19 and 23.5 months. With the exception of one case of cerebral haemorrhage, life-threatening liver toxicity, exfoliative colitis, capillary leak syndrome and anaphylactoid reaction, the protocol regimen provoked only modest haematological and extra-haematological toxicities.