G-CSF IN RADIOTHERAPY-INDUCED NEUTROPENIA

The utilization of granulocite colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)in a p atient with radio therapy-induced neutropenia has been reported in thi s paper. The patient underwent surgery for medulloblastoma and after a radiotherapic treatment of 6000 cGy developed persistent leukopenia. To treat the residual tumor mass, chemotherapy has been given in assoc iation with recombinant human-GCSF. Methotrexate, aracytin and prednis olone were administered through a cateter permanently placed into the right ventricular cavity, to achieve high drug concentration at the ta rget site with a minimal systemic toxicity; while G-CSF was given subc utaneously before chemotherapy to prevent intracranial infections. The increase in WBC count has been immediate and intense, so that the dur ation of the treatment was progressively reduced, but only temporary, and did not resolve the postradiation bone marrow damage. It has howev er allowed to carry out eight chemotherapic cycles without complicatio ns to obtain partial regression of the residual tumor mass.