Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) as adjunct therapy in relapsed-resistant high-grade non-Hodgkin's...

Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) safely stimulates the production of neutrophils in normal people and neutropenic patients. Phase II studies have been completed that explored the role of G-CSF in either abrogating or accelerating recovery from chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.

Fourteen patients with resistant/relapsed high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were treated with a dexamethasone, cytarabine and cisplatin (DHAP) regimen, and with G-CSF between chemotherapeutic courses.

All patients showed a rise in neutrophil count; none was neutropenic when hospitalized for subsequent DHAP courses. Furthermore, the interval between cycles was decreased in 11 of the 14 patients. The overall response rate was 86%, with 4 patients obtaining complete remission.

Administration of G-CSF was associated with an acceleration of neutrophil recovery, indicating its potential to reduce the risk of infection and to maintain planned chemotherapy doses.