Recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in patients receiving intensive chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

This study was aimed at preventing of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and improving the therapeutic result by reducing the cycle length of cisplatin (25 mg/m2/day, 5-day continuous infusion) and vindesine (3 mg/m2, bolus, days 1 and 8) (PiV) through the use of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rG-CSF) (2-5 micrograms/kg/day, subcutaneous, days 6-21) for non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). PiV regimen with rG-CSF was repeated every 21 days. 28 out of 33 previously untreated patients, who completed two or more cycles of PiV regimen on schedule, were evaluable for analysis. The absolute neutrophil count in the third week after chemotherapy was 8187 +/- 5376/ml. It became possible to administer PiV therapy at 3-week intervals. The response rate was 74% (23/31). In conclusion, the combined administration of rG-CSF enabled shortening of administration schedule of PiV therapy and increasing the dose intensity.