G-CSF for Treatment Intensification in High-Grade Malignant Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphomas

Abstract

Background: Hematologic growth factors may allow those intensification of chemotherapy possibly leading to an improvement of treatment results in high grade malignant non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. In the present study the possibility of reducing the time intervals between treatment cycles of chemotherapy was examined. Patients and Methods: In 24 patients with high grade malignant lymphomas intervals between VIM/CHOP chemotherapy cycles were reduced from the original 21 to 17 and even 14 days. G-CSF 5 µg/kg was administered s.c. for ten days after each treatment cycle. Results: It was possible to apply chemotherapy in the scheduled, reduced interval in more than 80% of the cycles. Major side effects of G-CSF treatment were observed in only two patients experiencing bone pain. Other toxicity was chemotherapy related and seldom severe. Conclusions: With the administration of G-CSF, treatment intervals of VIM/CHOP chemotherapy can safely be reduced. Whether this will lead to better treatment results needs further examination.