IN-VIVO STIMULATION OF NEUTROPHIL FUNCTION BY LENOGRASTIM (GLYCOSYLATED RHUG-CSF) IN ONCOHEMATOLOGIC PATIENTS - RESULTS OF A PHASE-I TRIAL

The aim of this work was to study the evolution of neutrophil function s in non-neutropenic cancer patients. Thirty non-neutropenic patients, median age 35 years (range 19-52), with solid tumors (n = 21) or lymp homas (n = 9) entered a phase I study of five days of s.c. (n = 24) or i.v. bolus (n = 6) lenograstim, recombinant human glycosylated granul ocyte colony-stimulating factor (rHuG-CSF Chugai-Rhone-Poulenc), with dose escalation from 1 to 40 mug/kg/day. Neutrophil functions were stu died before lenograstim (D1) and 24 h after the last dose (D6). Granul ocyte count rose in a significant way, and enzyme release, phagocytosi s and bacterial killing were stimulated. All patients had improvement of at least one neutrophil function. Directed migration was depressed, although it was still in the normal range. These findings confirm tha t lenograstim is a potent activator of neutrophil functions in non-neu tropenic cancer patients and may be useful as an adjunct to convention al antimicrobial therapy.