SURAMIN-INDUCED NEUTROPENIA

This paper presents a retrospective review of 6 cases of severe neutro penia attributed to suramin, the response to granulocyte-colony stimul ating factor (G-CSF) and the possible mechanism. Plasma suramin concen trations, G-CSF, platelet-derived growth factor-AB (PDGF-AB) and fibro blast growth factor basic (FGF basic) levels were measured and correla ted with neutropenic course. The time course of neutropenia was unpred ictable and occurred both during and following discontinuation of sura min. Neutropenia rapidly resolved with G-CSF. Neither the measured gro wth factor levels nor plasma suramin concentrations correlated with ne utropenia. We conclude that neutropenia secondary to suramin is unpred ictable and responds to G-CSF administration permitting further surami n therapy. The mechanism remains unknown.