Efficacy and safety of G-CSF mobilized granulocyte transfusions in four neutropenic children with sepsis and invasive fungal infection.

Abstract

Bacterial and fungal infections are serious complications of cancer therapy. Especially during longstanding neutropenia, patients are at risk for life-threatening infections. The aim of this study was to assess the effect and safety of G-CSF mobilized granulocyte transfusions (GTX) in four neutropenic pediatric patients with sepsis. The patients were between 4.6-17.5 years old and their diagnoses included very severe aplastic anemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and acute myeloid leukemia. Before GTX, all patients had fever despite antibiotic and antimycotic therapy, neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count ANC < 500/microl), increasing C-reactive protein (CRP) values, hypotension requiring dopamine infusion and three patients needed supplemental oxygen. The granulocyte donors received G-CSF (Neupogen, 5 microg/kg body weight) 12 h prior to granulocyte apheresis. In total, 40 GTX were performed (range 2-28 per patient). The mean increase of the granulocyte count 1 h after GTX was 1,310/microl (range 200-2,950/microl). Within the period of GTX the CRP values decreased in all patients. During or 24 h after the last GTX, the hypotension resolved and supplemental oxygen was stopped. One GTX was discontinued because of oxygen desaturation. GTX were a safe therapeutic measure with beneficial effects on serious infections in neutropenic children.