In order to examine the effectiveness of Granulocyte-Colony Simulating Factor (G-CSF) on leukopenia in patients treated with antineoplastic drugs, leukocyte levels were compared between patients treated with GCSF and those not receiving G-CSF.
The G-CSF group consisted of 7 patients with malignant tumors admitted to our department, and the non-G-CSF group consisted of 6 patients with gastric cancer, who were treated with E-A-P (etoposideadriamycincisplatin). G-CSF was subcutaneously injected once a day at a dose of 75-500μg.
The average leukocyte level was lower in the G-CSF group (1,166/mm3) than in the non-G-CSF group (2,120/mm3). The recovery of leukocyte levels from their minimum values to at least 4,000/mm3 took an average of 4.1 days for the G-CSF group. Leukocyte levels remained less than 2,000/mm3 for an average of 4.7 days in the G-CSF group, while for the 2 patients with leukocyte less 2,000/mm3 in the non-G-CSF group, it look 6 days in one case and more the 3 weeks in the other for the levels to recover to 4,000/mm3.
No side effects of G-CSF were noted in any of the patients. Therefore, we have concluded that G-CSF injection is effective patients with leukopenia who are undergoing therapy with antineoplastic drugs.
