Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) for mustard-induced bone marrow suppression

The authors describe the development of a clinical protocol to treat mustard gas-induced myelosuppression with granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), a hematopoietic growth factor. Limited clinical evidence suggests a significant role for mustard gas-induced myelosuppression in the overall morbidity of mustard gas victims. Initial data from primates revealed that G-CSF could ameliorate neutropenia following nitrogen mustard exposure. Exploiting the extensive oncologic experience with G-CSF, which demonstrated its safety and absence of serious side effects the authors developed a clinical protocol for use of this drug in potential mustard gas victims in the Persian Gulf conflict.