Abstract

To determine the safety and efficacy of rhG-CSF on chemotherapy induced neutropenia in pediatric AML patients, we conducted a prospective controlled study in 17 patiens with AML at Seoul National University Childrens Hospital from July, 1993 to January, 1994. High dose cytosine arabinoside(Ara-C, 3gm/m for four times every 12 hours) with L-asparaginase 6,000 u/m) were given to 13 patients as Group I control and after the recovery of WBC, same chemo- therapy followed by G-CSF(50 ug/m for 10 days) were given as Group I study. In Group II study, high dose Ara-C(3gm/m(2) for 8 times every 12 hours) were given to 11 patients with AML followed by G-CSF(150 ug/m for 10 days). Recovery of the absolute neutrophil counts to more than 1,000/mm' was significantly faster in the G-CSF group than in the control group(P< 0.01) and the absolute neutrophil counts on day 14 of chemotherapy was significantly higher in G-CSF group(P<0.01). The toxicity of G-CSF was minimal and there was no evidence of accel- erated growth of leukemic blasts during the G-CSF treatment. In conclusion, Filgrastim(rhG- CSF) promotes the recovery of neutrophils and shortens the duration of neutropenia induced by the chemotherapy in pediatric acute myelogenous leukemia.

• Keywords: Filgrastim, G-CSF, Childhood, AML, Neutropenia, Chemotherapy