Search

The feasibility of mobilizing peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) using anthracycline containing polychemotherapy and G-CSF on the first 50 patients randomized to the high-dose arm in the adjuvant SBG 9401 is investigated. The patients were treated with standard FEC (5-fluorouracil 600 mg/m[sup 2], epirubicin 60 mg/m[sup 2], cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m[sup 2]) for two courses followed by a modified third FEC course with a C dose of 1200 mg/m[sup 2] supported with subcutaneous G-CSF (filgrastim) at 5 mg/kg followed by harvest around day 11. The mean yield of CD34[sup +] cells per patient was 10.6×106/kg (range 2.6-29.1). The side effects after the third course were low and only one patient developed an uncomplicated granulopenic fever. Our data indicated a correlation between number of transfused CD34[sup +] cells and days to neutrophil and platelet recovery. In conclusion, the modified FEC regimen followed by G-CSF is a feasible method for PBSC mobilization in the adjuvant setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]