Abstract

To investigate the clinical effectiveness of recombinant human GM-CSF(rhGM-CSF; Leucogen) on the chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, twelve children with malignant solid tumor who had neutropenia after chemotherapy received 250 pg/M(2)/day of rhGM-CSF subcutaneouly for 10 consecutive days from the fifth day of next chemotherapy were schedule using the same rekimen. rhGM-CSF significantly increased leukocyte, neutrophil and eosinophil counts on the tenth day of GM-CSF course compared to the control course(P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the counts of monocyte, lymphocyte, platelet or hemoglobin(p>0.1). The nadir of leukocyte and neutrophil were significantly higher in GM-CSF course than those of control course (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in that of monocyte, lymphocyte, eo- sinophil, platelet or hemoglobin(P: 0.1). The duration of chemotherapy-induced leukopenia and neutropenia were decreased significantly in GM-CSF course than those of control course(P< 0.05). The duration of antibiotics administration and febrile period during chemotherapy were shorter in GM-CSF course without statistical significance. No significant side effect was observed during rhGM-CSF course. These results indicate that rhGM-CSF(Leucogen') is effective in alleviating the chemotherapy-induced neutropenia of children with malignant solid tumors.

• Keywords: GM-CSF, Neutropenia, Solid tumor, Childhood