FEC mobilized stem cells for high-dose therapy in breast cancer patients

The feasibility of mobilizing peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) using anth racycline containing polychemotherapy and G-CSF on the first 50 patients ra ndomized to the high-dose arm in the adjuvant SBG 9401 is investigated. The patients were treated with standard FEC (5-fluorouracil 600 mg/m(2), epiru bicin 60 mg/m(2), cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m(2)) for two courses followed by a modified third FEC course with a C dose of 1200 mg/m(2) supported with s ubcutaneous G-CSF (filgrastim) at 5 mg/kg followed by harvest around day 11 . The mean yield of CD34(+) cells per patient was 10.6 x 10(6)/kg (range 2. 6-29.1). The side effects after the third course were low and only one pati ent developed an uncomplicated granulopenic fever. Our data indicated a cor relation between number of transfused CD34(+) cells and days to neutrophil and platelet recovery. In conclusion, the modified FEC regimen followed by G-CSF is a feasible method for PBSC mobilization in the adjuvant setting.