Donor tolerance and results of stimulation with G‐CSF alone or in combination with dexamethasone for the collection of granulocytes

Abstract

Stimulation of healthy granulocyte donors allows the collection of therapeutic doses of granulocytes. The stimulation with G-CSF alone was compared with G-CSF plus dexamethasone. Blood samples were drawn at baseline, at leukapheresis, and at follow-up visit. Donors answered a questionnaire to evaluate side effects of the stimulation regimen. The combination of G-CSF and dexamethasone resulted in higher WBC count than G-CSF alone (39.4 +/- 7.8 vs. 34.8 +/- 8.3/nl). Glucose (136 +/- 45 mg/dl) and lactate dehydrogenase (195 +/- 38) increased significantly after stimulation with G-CSF plus dexamethasone but returned to baseline levels at the follow-up visit. Generally, stimulation was well tolerated by the donors. A higher rate of mild bone pain and headache was experienced in donors stimulated with G-CSF plus dexamethasone than in donors receiving G-CSF alone. Fatigue and myalgia were reported at similar rates in both groups. A high proportion of the donors stated that they would accept a further stimulation and granulocyte donation. At the follow-up visit, blood counts and chemistry had returned to normal values.