Effects of granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor on potential normal granulocyte donors

BACKGROUND: The use of granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) to inc rease the granulocyte count and the yield from leukapheresis in normal dono rs is leading to renewed interest in granulocyte transfusion. Therefore, it is important to understand the side effects of G-CSF. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We studied the effect of G-CSF on peripheral bloo d counts and recorded the side effects experienced 24 hours after an inject ion of G-CSF in normal subjects donating peripheral blood progenitor cells for research. RESULTS: Following administration of G-CSF to 261 donors, the neutrophil co unt increased to 20.6 to 24.5 x 10(9) per mu L depending on the dose of G-C SF. This represented a 6.2 to 7.4-fold increase over the neutrophil count b efore G-CSF administration. Of all donors, 69 percent experienced one or mo re side effects. The most common effects were: muscle and bone pain, headac he, fatigue, and nausea. There was a relationship between the dose of G-CSF and the likelihood of experiencing a side effect. Most side effects were m ild, but about 75 percent of donors took analgesics because of them. CONCLUSIONS: In a granulocyte donation program involving G-CSF stimulation, about two-thirds of donors would experience one or more side effects, but t hese would usually be mild and well tolerated.