Effect of human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on neutropenia induced by radiotherapy and chemotherapy

This study was designed to test the effect of human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (hG-CSF) in patients at risk for neutropenia caused by radiotherapy plus chemotherapy. Twelve patients with advanced esophageal tumor were treated after operation with 'sandwich' radiochemotherapy (successive treatment with chemotherapy-radiotherapy-chemotherapy). hG-CSF was given subcutaneously at a dose of 2 micrograms/kg/day for 3-5 days after the white blood cell counts decreased to less than 3,000/mm3. Neutrophil counts significantly recovered to normal levels within 5 days in all patients treated with hG-CSF. No significant changes in the lymphocyte, platelet and red blood cell counts were shown. No side effects were observed. These results indicate that hG-CSF is a useful tool for the treatment of neutropenia induced by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.