Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) prevents dose-limiting neutropenia in lymphoma patients receiving standard dose chemotherapy.

In this study, nine patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 6) and Hodgkin's disease (n = 3) receiving different cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens were given granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) (5 micrograms/kg/day) from 48 hours after the end of chemotherapy to 48 hours before the next chemotherapy administration. The decrease in mean absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) and in mean platelet (Plt) counts was not significant when pre-therapy counts were compared with post-therapy ones (p < 0.375 and p > 0.4, respectively). The mean actual dose intensity was 92% (range 68-100%). G-CSF treatment after chemotherapy reduces neutropenia and permits administration of the full chemotherapy program. A wash-out period between G-CSF treatment and chemotherapy administration is needed to prevent the detrimental effect of chemotherapy on leukocyte and platelet recovery when repeated cycles of cytotoxic drugs and G-CSF are administered.