TREATMENT OF CLOZAPINE-INDUCED AGRANULOCYTOSIS WITH RECOMBINANT GRANULOCYTE-COLONY-STIMULATING FACTOR

Background: Is clozapine-induced agranulocytosis amenable to treatment with recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rG-CSF)? Will this treatment provide benefits in terms of morbidity, mortality, and costs compared with current treatment? Method: Five patients with clo zapine-induced agranulocytosis (granulocytes < 500/cu mm) were treated with the rG-CSF filgrastim, in addition to standard agranulocytosis t herapy protocol. Results: Time from onset until resolution of agranulo cytosis was 8.2 +/- 2.1 days compared with a historical study of seven cases where filgrastim was not used and 15.7 +/- 3.7 days were requir ed for resolution. Conclusion: rG-CSF (filgrastim) may be an effective and cost-reducing way to provide improved treatment for clozapine-ind uced agranulocytosis. More research is required.