[Colony-stimulating factors and HIV-related neoplasms].

OBJECTIVE

it is analyzed a group of patients with HIV related malignancy treated with myelosuppressive therapy with granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) to study the efficacy of hematopoietic growth factors in these subjects.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

it was studied the clinical and hematological evolution of 20 patients with HIV related malignancy treated with standard dose of chemotherapy and 5 micrograms/Kg/day of G-CSF starting 24 hours after the completion of chemotherapy administration. It was done an epidemiological study and was determined haemoglobin level, and the number of leukocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, CD4+ lymphocytes and platelets before and after the chemotherapy administration.

RESULTS

all of the patients were men with mean age of 37 +/- 2 years. The mean of lymphocyte CD4+ count was 17 x 10(6)/l and the tumor was the first aids manifestation in 50% of the subjects. The mean days of hospitalization was 14 +/- 3 days. As the result of the G-CSF administration, the leucocyte and the neutrophil count was statistically elevated (p < 0.01) and the platelets, the lymphocytes and the monocytes were not statistically elevated. Only one patient had a severe adverse reaction. Seventeen patients (85%) are dead, but only in 3 the cause was an infectious disease.

CONCLUSION

the use of G-CSF prophylactically can elevate the neutrophil count and avoid the apparition of febrile neutropenia in patients with HIV related malignancies.