Return of granulocyte transfusions

Recently, several groups have begun to administer granulocyte colony-stimul ating factor (G-CSF), a hematopoietic growth factor, with or without dexame thasone to mobilize peripheral blood neutrophils. Granulocyte colony-stimul ating factor (600 mu g subcutaneously) and dexamethasone (8 mg orally) give n 12 hours before standard leukapheresis routinely results in the collectio n of approximately 80 x 10(9) granulocytes. This number of cells is suffici ent to increase the neutrophil count of a severely neutropenic patient to n ormal and restore the recipients' ability to develop a neutrophil response in tissues. Several trials are ongoing to establish the clinical benefit of this new approach to supportive care for neutropenic patients. Curr Opin P ediatr 2000, 12:18-22 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.