DISTRIBUTION OF TC-99M-SULFUR COLLOID DURING GRANULOCYTE-COLONY-STIMULATING FACTOR ADMINISTRATION IN AUTOLOGOUS BONE-MARROW TRANSPLANTATION

The distribution of Tc-99m-sulphur colloid (Tc-99m-SC) in 15 patients receiving human recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-C SF) following high-dose combination chemotherapy and autologous bone m arrow transplantation (ABMT) for treatment of solid tumours was prospe ctively determined. Tc-99m-SC imaging was performed before treatment a nd at the time of leukocyte recovery during G-CSF administration. On t he baseline Tc-99m-SC study, lung and bone marrow radiocolloid activit y were not detected. The study performed during G-CSF infusion demonst rated lung colloid activity in 12 of 15 patients and bone marrow collo id activity in 11 of 15 patients. The average background corrected reg ion of interest counts significantly increased for lung (P < 0.008), b one marrow (P < 0.0001) and cardiac blood pool (P < 0.05), and signifi cantly decreased for liver (P < 0.0005) during G-CSF compared to the b aseline study. No relationship between the distribution of Tc-99m-SC a nd response to therapy or patient outcome could be established. In con clusion, these data demonstrate a shift of Tc-99m-SC to lung, bone mar row and cardiac blood pool, and away from liver following high-dose co mbination chemotherapy and ABMT and during G-CSF administration in pat ients undergoing treatment for solid tumours.