GRANULOCYTE COLONY STIMULATING FACTOR (G-CSF) AS ADJUNCT THERAPY IN RELAPSED-RESISTANT HIGH-GRADE NON-HODGKINS-LYMPHOMA

Background. 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. Methods. 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. Results. 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. Conclusions. 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.