INTERFERON-ALPHA INHIBITS CFU-GM MOBILIZATION FOLLOWING CHEMOTHERAPY AND G-CSF ADMINISTRATION

Changes in routine hematologic data and in circulating granulocyte-mac rophage colony-forming units (CFU-GM) during granulocyte colony-stimul ating factor (G-CSF) administration were evaluated in non-small cell l ung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients treated with a combination of 5-fluorou racil (5-FU) and cisplatin (DDP) with and without the addition of inte rferon-alpha (IFN-alpha). The patterns of leukocyte changes following chemotherapy plus G-CSF were similar in both the IFN-alpha-inclusive a nd the IFN-alpha-devoid courses. However, the twofold increase in CFU- GM observed in patients receiving chemotherapy plus G-CSF was complete ly absent following the course including IFN-alpha. The activity of G- CSF on the hematologic pattern is seemingly affected by its combinatio n with IFN-alpha treatment. Mechanisms of the possible in vivo interac tion among IFNs and hematopoietic growth factors remain to be elucidat ed.