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J M Vose

Publications and source records attributed to J M Vose.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Current approaches to the management of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is a complex malignancy with many different clinical presentations, histologies, and varied treatment options depending on the histologic type and other prognostic factors. This article focuses on the major histologic subtypes of NHL with discussion of the natural history of each and information on various treatment options.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols

Rapid immunologic reconstitution following transplantation with mobilized peripheral blood stem cells as compared to bone marrow.

A majority of patients with intermediate or high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) who are treated with high-dose chemotherapy (HDT) and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation subsequently relapse. Until recently, transplantation was associated with high morbidity and mortality and the focus was on improving the safety of this procedure. However, the use of growth factors and other supportive measures has successfully reduced treatment mortality to less than 5%. Therefore, new strategies need to be developed to eliminate the growth of any occult tumor cells reinfused with the stem cell products and the tumor cells remaining in the patient. One approach is to improve the immune function of the patients by a more rapid immune reconstitution and augmentation of effector cell function. We report studies comparing immune recovery following HDT and autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation (PSCT) as compared to autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT). These studies examined patients with intermediate and high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) who were treated with HDT and PSCT (n = 56) or ABMT (n = 60). The PSCT patients had a significantly faster recovery of circulating monocytes (CD14+ cells), natural killer ((NK) CD56+) cells, T helper (CD4+) cells, TCR gamma/delta cells, and naive T lymphocytes (CD45RA+). Following ABMT there was a significantly more rapid increase in the frequency of T suppressor/effector (CD8+) cells, B (CD19+) cells, CD34+ cells, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and memory T lymphocytes (CD45RO+). The CD4:CD8 and CD45RA:CD45RO ratios were consistently higher in the PSCT group as compared to ABMT suggesting an improved ratio of T helper to T effector/suppressor cells and naive T cells. The differences in cellular phenotype translated into improved T cell function (PHA mitogenesis) and T cell help (pokeweed mitogenesis). In addition, there as an accelerated reconstitution of NK cell activity following PSCT as compared to ABMT. The more rapid reconstitution of NK and T cells in patients rescued with PSCT as compared to ABMT may contribute to an improved clinical outcome. Further, patients receiving a PSCT may be more responsive to adjuvant immunotherapy following transplantation.

Adult

High-dose therapy with autologous hematopoietic rescue for follicular low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the results of high-dose therapy followed by autologous bone marrow or peripheral-blood stem-cell transplantation for patients with follicular low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 100 patients undergoing autologous transplantation for follicular low-grade lymphoma between April 22, 1983 and December 31, 1993. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients remained alive and 48 were failure-free. The median follow-up duration of surviving patients was 2.6 years (range, 1.0 to 11.7). There were eight (8%) deaths within 100 days of transplantation. Six additional patients died of nonrelapse causes up to 912 days after transplantation. Overall survival at 4 years was estimated to be 65% (95% confidence interval [CI], 54% to 75%) and failure-free survival was estimated to be 44% (95% CI, 33% to 55%). There was no definite evidence of a plateau in the failure-free survival curve. The only factor significantly associated with overall survival and failure-free survival was the number of chemotherapy regimen received before transplantation. No significant differences in outcome were observed between patients with follicular small cleaved-cell lymphoma and follicular mixed lymphoma, or between patients who received peripheral-blood stem-cell transplants and unpurged autologous bone marrow transplants. CONCLUSION: Prolonged failure-free survival is possible following high-dose therapy and autologous hematopoietic rescue for follicular low-grade lymphoma. It is unclear whether patients are cured with this therapy or if survival is prolonged.

Adult

Allogeneic-blood stem-cell collection following mobilization with low-dose granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

PURPOSE: The optimal dose of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for mobilization of allogeneic-blood stem cells (AlloBSC) has yet to be determined. As part of a prospective trial, 41 related human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched donors had blood cells mobilized with G-CSF at 5 micrograms/kg/d by subcutaneous administration. The purpose of this trial was to monitor adverse effects during G-CSF administration and stem-cell collection, to determine the optimal timing for stem-cell collection, and to determine the cellular composition of stem-cell products following G-CSF administration. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The median donor age was 42 years. Apheresis began on day 4 of G-CSF administration. At least three daily 12-L apheresis collections were performed on each donor. A minimum of 1.0 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg (recipient weight) and 8.0 x 10(8) mononuclear cells/kg were collected from each donor. All collections were cryopreserved in 5% dimethyl sulfoxide and 6% hydroxyethyl starch. RESULTS: Toxicities associated with G-CSF administration and the apheresis process included myalgias/arthralgias (83%), headache (44%), fever (27%), and chills (22%). The median baseline platelet count of 242 x 10(4)/ mL decreased to 221, 155, and 119 x 10(6)/mL on days 4, 5, and 6 of G-CSF administration, respectively. Median numbers of CD34+ cells in collections 1, 2, and 3 were 1.99, 2.52, and 3.13 x 10(6)/kg, respectively. The percentage and total number of CD4+, CD8+, and CD56+/CD3- cells remained relatively constant during the three collections. Median total numbers of cells were as follows: CD34+, 7.73 x 10(6)/kg; and lymphocytes, 6.93 x 10(8)/kg. CONCLUSION: Relatively low doses of G-CSF can mobilize sufficient numbers of AlloBSC safely and efficiently.

Adult

Hematopoietic recovery after allogeneic blood stem-cell transplantation compared with bone marrow transplantation in patients with hematologic malignancies.

PURPOSE: To compare hematopoietic recovery, duration of hospitalization, and 100-day survival in patients who received allogeneic-blood stem cells (BSC) or conventional allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: From December 1994 to August 1995, 21 patients participated in a phase II study of allogeneic BSC transplantation. Cells mobilized with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF; 5 micrograms/kg/ d) were collected from human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched related donors and cryopreserved. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis consisted of cyclosporine and methotrexate. G-CSF (10 micrograms/kg/d) was administered posttransplant. The outcomes were compared with 22 identically treated historical patients who received allogeneic BMT. RESULTS: The median infused CD34+ cell and granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming unit (CFU-GM) content were 7.73 x 10(4)/kg and 41.6 x 10(4)/kg, respectively. The median time to a neutrophil count greater than 500/ microL was 11 days after BSC and 16.5 days after BMT (P = .0003). A trend toward faster platelet and RBC recovery after BSC was observed. BSC patients received fewer platelet transfusions: 10 versus 19 (P = .015). The median length of hospitalization was shorter after BSC transplantation: 25 versus 31.5 days (P = .0243). The 100-day survival rates were similar: 83% after BSC and 75% after BMT (P = .3585). The incidence of acute GVHD grade II to IV was 57% and 45% for BSC and BMT, respectively (P = .4654). CONCLUSION: In comparison to BMT, allogeneic BSC transplantation may result in faster hematopoietic recovery, shorter hospital stay, and similar early survival. Whether allogeneic BSC are superior to bone marrow needs to be determined in randomized trials.

Adult

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor/interleukin-3 fusion protein versus granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor after autologous bone marrow transplantation for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: results of a randomized double-blind trial.

PURPOSE: A phase III trial to compare PIXY321 with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) following high-dose therapy and autologous bone marrow transplant (ABMT) was conducted to evaluate the time to hematopoietic recovery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred seventy-seven patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) receiving ABMT were randomized to receive either PIXY321 750 micrograms/m2/d divided into two subcutaneous (SC) doses or GM-CSF 250 micrograms/m2/d as a 2-hour intravenous (IV) infusion starting on day 0 post-ABMT for a maximum of 28 days. RESULTS: The median time to reach an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) > or = 500/microL in the PIXY321 group was 17 days versus 19 days in the GM-CSF group (P = .07) and the median time to reach platelet transfusion independence in the PIXY321 group was 25 days versus 23 days in the GM-CSF group (P = .30). The toxicity profiles of the two agents appeared to be equivalent with the exception of more patients in the PIXY321 group with a rash (64%) compared with the GM-CSF group (48%) (P = .028). A logistic regression model identified the use of a non-total-body irradiation (TBI) regimen and/or receipt of unpurged marrow and a body-surface area greater than 2.0 m2 as predictive of faster neutrophil engraftment, and those three factors, as well as the receipt of < or = two prior chemotherapy regimens as predictive for rapid platelet engraftment. CONCLUSION: There was a trend toward a slight improvement in neutrophil engraftment post-ABMT with the PIXY321 administered by an SC route compared with GM-CSF administered by an IV route. However, no differences could be identified between the two agents with respect to the time to platelet transfusion independence. Patient, regimen, and graft characteristics were most predictive of the engraftment tempo.

Adolescent

Occurrence of the t(2;5)(p23;q35) in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Primary CD30(Ki-1)-positive anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) is considered by some to be a distinct clinicopathologic entity associated with the t(2;5) (p23;q35). However, the specificity of t(2;5) for ALCL has not been carefully studied. Therefore, we performed a detailed analysis of all cases of ALCL with abnormal cytogenetics results in the Nebraska Lymphoma Study Group registry, as well as all other cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with t(2;5) in the registry. We found the t(2;5) in only five of 10 cases of ALCL, four of whom were young patients. However, we also found the t(2;5) in 11 other cases of nonanaplastic lymphoma, including eight children with typical peripheral T-cell lymphomas of various types. The t(2;5) was also found in three older adults with B-cell lymphomas of various types. Thus, the t(2;5) was not specific for CD30+ ALCL. However, t(2;5) may define a clinicopathologic entity in children and young adults characterized by variable morphologies with a T-cell or indeterminate phenotype, CD30-positivity, nodal disease with frequent extranodal involvement, advanced stage, and an excellent response to therapy, including bone marrow transplantation for relapsed disease. The clinical relevance of the t(2;5) in older patients requires further study.

Adolescent

Classification and clinical course of low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas with overview of therapy.

Low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) presents a formidable treatment challenge to oncologists. This review evaluates the various methods of disease and patient management. The natural history of various subtypes of low-grade NHL and the classification according to the National Cancer Institute Working Formulation are discussed in this review. Additionally, the various therapies in use; radiotherapy alone and combined with chemotherapy, chemotherapy with single alkylating agents such as chlorambucil and combination therapies, autologous and allogenic bone marrow transplantation, and therapy with purine analogs, such as chlorodeoxyadenosine and fludarabine. Patient survival in various studies using these treatment modalities are discussed. Treatment options need to be combined with the use of prognostic models, such as the International Index for optimal care of this difficult-to-treat group of patients.

Humans

High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous hematopoietic rescue for Hodgkin's disease patients following first relapse after chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The best results of conventional-dose salvage chemotherapy for Hodgkin's disease have been reported after first relapse. We evaluated the results of high-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic rescue for Hodgkin's disease patients who had relapsed from an initial chemotherapy-induced complete remission. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-five patients received high-dose cyclophosphamide, carmustine, and etoposide (CBV) followed by autologous bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. RESULTS: Actuarial survival at five years was 51%, and failure-free survival was 40%. Failure-free survival at five years was 90% for patients who received no conventional-dose salvage chemotherapy prior to CBV. Failure-free survival of patients treated initially with a four-drug regimen was not significantly different than patients treated with seven/eight-drug regimens. CONCLUSION: These results appear to be better than those reported for conventional-dose salvage chemotherapy. High-dose therapy followed by autologous bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation should be considered for any patient with relapsed Hodgkin's disease, regardless of the length of initial remission, or type of initial chemotherapy. Certain patients, especially those with minimal disease, may benefit by proceeding directly to transplantation after relapse, without first receiving conventional-dose salvage chemotherapy.

Adolescent

Hodgkin's disease following solid organ transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of second malignancies is markedly increased following transplantation of solid organs. However, the development of Hodgkin's disease has been described relatively infrequently in this setting, and there is little clinical information on these patients and few details on management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have reviewed the pathologic specimens and clinical history of four patients who developed Hodgkin's disease following transplantation of solid organs. RESULTS: Hodgkin's disease appeared 26-68 months following transplantation of the kidney (2 cases), liver, and heart. Three cases demonstrated evidence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in Reed-Sternberg cells. One case appears to have arisen after a previous EBV-driven polymorphous lymphoproliferation. Hodgkin's disease was localized in three cases and disseminated in one. All patients achieved remission with standard therapy and continue in remission between 9 and 61 months after therapy. Graft function was preserved in all patients. CONCLUSION: Hodgkin's disease occurring in the post-transplantation period should probably be treated like Hodgkin's disease in non-immunosuppressed patients. Prolonged disease-free survival is possible and function of the transplanted organ can be preserved.

Adult

Phase I/II trial of PIXY321 to enhance engraftment following autologous bone marrow transplantation for lymphoid malignancy.

PURPOSE: A phase I/II study of PIXY321 following high-dose therapy (HDT) and autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) was conducted to evaluate the safety and clinical potential of this agent. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty patients with Hodgkin's disease or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) undergoing HDT and ABMT received PIXY321 post-ABMT in doses that ranged from 50 to 1,000 micrograms/m2/d either as intravenous (i.v.) or subcutaneous (SC) dosing until engraftment was reached. RESULTS: If all doses are considered together, the median time to reach an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) > or = 500/microL was 18 days and the median time to platelet transfusion independence was 21 days. At the estimated optimum dose of 750 micrograms/m2/d by SC injection once daily, the median time to reach an ANC > or = 500/microL was 15 days and the median time to platelet transfusion independence was 16 days. Historical control patients who received granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) had a median time to an ANC > or = 500/microL of 19 days and a median time to platelet independence of 26 days. CONCLUSION: The administration of PIXY321 post-ABMT was generally well tolerated and resulted in prompt engraftment in the majority of patients who underwent HDT and ABMT for lymphoid malignancies. The optimum dose and route of administration of PIXY321 suggested by this trial was 750 micrograms/m2/d by once-daily SC injection. Compared with historical control patients who received 2-hour i.v. GM-CSF, patients who received PIXY321 at 750 micrograms/m2/d by SC injection once daily had an improvement in the median days to neutrophil and platelet engraftment by 4 and 10 days, respectively.

Adult

Bone marrow transplants from HLA-identical siblings in advanced Hodgkin's disease.

PURPOSE: To determine the outcome of HLA-identical sibling bone marrow transplants in advanced Hodgkin's disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the data on 100 consecutive patients with Hodgkin's disease who received HLA-identical sibling bone marrow transplants between April 1, 1982 and August 12, 1992, reported to the International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry (IBMTR). The median interval from diagnosis to transplant was 2.5 years (range, < 1 to 14). All had advanced disease. Eighty-nine of 100 patients were not in remission at the time of transplant. Fifty had pretransplant Karnofsky scores less than 90% and 27 had active infection in the week before transplant. Patients received a variety of conditioning regimens; 45 received total-body radiation. RESULTS: The 100-day probability of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was 35% (95% confidence interval [CI], 26% to 46%); the 3-year probability of chronic GVHD was 45% (95% CI, 31% to 59%). The 3-year probability of relapse was 65% (95% CI, 50% to 78%). The 3-year probability of survival was 21% (95% CI, 14% to 30%). The 3-year disease-free survival rate was 15% (95% CI, 9% to 24%). CONCLUSION: HLA-identical sibling bone marrow transplants have a limited role in advanced Hodgkin's disease.

Adolescent

Single-photon emission computed tomography gallium imaging versus computed tomography: predictive value in patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem-cell transplantation for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the predictive value of computed tomography (CT) scanning and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) gallium (Ga) scanning in the disease-free survival of patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem-cell transplantation for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred forty-three patients undergoing transplant for NHL underwent CT scanning of chest, abdomen, and pelvis, and a SPECT Ga scan before transplantation and at day + 100 after transplant. The failure-free survival (FFS) by scan result was analyzed. RESULTS: In the diffuse aggressive lymphoma patients, the 1-year FFS for patients having a positive SPECT Ga scan at day + 100 was 15% compared with a 3-year FFS of 47% for those with a negative scan (P < .001). Patients with a positive CT scan at day + 100 had a 36% 3-year FFS, and those with a negative CT scan had a 39% 3-year FFS (P = not significant [NS]). An analysis of the combination of CT scan and SPECT Ga scan results at day + 100 posttransplant demonstrated a 3-year FFS of 14% if they were both abnormal; if the CT was positive and Ga was negative, the 3-year FFS was 68%; positive Ga with a negative CT was 25%; and both negative was 34% (P = .0015). For the patients with follicular NHL, those with a positive SPECT Ga at day + 100 had a 14% 1-year FFS compared with those with a negative scan, who had a 45% 3-year FFS (P < .001). In the follicular NHL patients, the 3-year FFS of those with a positive CT was 17% compared with a 64% 3-year FFS for patients with a negative CT scan (P < .001). CONCLUSION: The use of SPECT Ga scan at day + 100 posttransplant for evaluation of disease activity in patients with diffuse aggressive NHL was highly predictive of eventual outcome and was more predictive than the CT scan results. However, for patients with follicular NHL, the addition of SPECT Ga scanning to CT scanning did not add substantially to the evaluation of transplant outcome.

Adolescent

Phase I trial of recombinant fusion protein PIXY321 for mobilization of peripheral-blood cells.

PURPOSE: Mobilization of peripheral-blood cells (PBC) with cytokines alone results in rapid hematopoietic recovery and avoids the potential morbidity associated with mobilization by chemotherapy. PIXY321, a fusion protein that consists of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-3 (IL-3), has enhanced hematopoietic colony-forming activity as compared with individual or equimolar combinations of the two cytokines. A phase I trial of PIXY321 for mobilization of PBC in patients with malignant lymphoma was performed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients with malignant lymphoma who were eligible for high-dose therapy (HDT) were enrolled onto the trial. All patients were ineligible for autologous bone marrow transplantation due to overt metastatic disease in the marrow or to severe marrow hypocellularity. PIXY321 was administered at three dose levels of 250, 500, and 750 micrograms/m2/d by continuous infusion until completion of PBC collections. Collections were initiated when the WBC count was greater than 10 x 10(9)/L or 4 days after the initiation of PIXY321, whichever came first. Collections were continued until a minimum of 6.5 x 10(8) mononuclear cells (MNC)/kg patient weight were obtained. RESULTS: PIXY321 was generally well tolerated. Side effects associated with PIXY321 administration did not exceed grade 2 and included fever (85%), chills/sweats (54%), myalgias (38%), fatigue (31%), nausea/vomiting (31%), headache (31%), edema (23%), and rhinorrhea (23%). The median numbers of colony-forming units-granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-GM) in the graft products for the three dose levels were 0.31, 2.94, and 2.88 x 10(4)/kg, respectively; the median numbers of burst-forming units-erythroid (BFU-e) were 0.20, 6.94, and 12.78 x 10(4)/kg, and the median numbers of CD34+ cells were 2.30, 0.74, and 0.39 x 10(6)/kg. Following transplantation, the median times to an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) > 0.5 x 10(9)/L were 12, 15, and 12 days, respectively, and the median times to platelet transfusion independence were 30, 19, and 15 days. CONCLUSION: PIXY321 can be safely administered and effectively mobilizes PBC in patients with bone marrow defects. PIXY321-mobilized PBC autotransplants result in rapid and sustained hematopoietic recovery.

Adult

Dose-intensive ifosfamide for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) who either fail to achieve or relapse following an initial complete remission have a poor prognosis with conventional salvage chemotherapy. Patients with chemotherapy-sensitive NHL have a 45% chance of long-term disease-free survival with high-dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT). Patients with chemotherapy-resistant NHL have a significantly reduced chance of long-term disease-free survival. Ifosfamide, a synthetic analogue of cyclophosphamide, has been evaluated in a few small trials of high-dose chemotherapy and ABMT in lymphoma. Because of their clinical synergy, ifosfamide has been combined with carboplatin and etoposide (ICE) and given with ABMT in several phase I/II dose-escalating studies. Maximum tolerated doses of the ICE regimen in these trials are 16 to 20.1 g/m2 ifosfamide, 1.8 g/m2 carboplatin, and 1.2 to 3.0 g/m2 etoposide. Renal, central nervous system, and cardiac toxicities have precluded further dose escalation. Sequential dosing protocols, administration of high-dose chemotherapy with peripheral blood progenitor cell support, and other approaches, possibly combining current treatment options, may be necessary to further improve the long-term survival of patients with relapsed NHL.

Antineoplastic Agents

Cardiopulmonary function and autologous bone marrow transplantation: results and predictive value for respiratory failure and mortality. The University of Nebraska Medical Center Bone Marrow Transplantation Pulmonary Study Group.

Cardiopulmonary complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing high-dose therapy with stem cell transplant support. Since exercise tolerance testing (ETT) assesses the cardiopulmonary reserve of an individual, we hypothesized that ETT performed prior to transplant would predict respiratory failure and mortality and would be a superior predictor over resting cardiopulmonary function tests. We performed a retrospective study of 191 lymphoma patients who underwent ETT prior to transplant between 1 June 1990 and 31 December 1992 and compared the results of ETT with resting pulmonary function tests (PFT) and resting cardiac ejection fraction (EF). ETT revealed that cardiac, pulmonary and combined cardiopulmonary limitation were observed in 31, 20 and 16% of the patients, respectively, with a gas diffusion-type limitation being the most common exercise limitation. Resting PFT were abnormal in 58% of patients with a diffusion defect being the most common abnormality. Low EF was observed in 6.8% of patients. Twelve patients eventually required mechanical ventilation post-transplant with only the resting diffusion PFT predictive of this complication. There were five early deaths that were attributable to respiratory failure and neither resting nor ETT studies were predictive of these deaths. ETT and EF performed prior to transplant in lymphoma patients undergoing autologous transplant do not predict for either respiratory failure or short-term mortality. Our findings may be due to the rather low incidence of respiratory failure (6.3%) and low early mortality from cardiopulmonary complications (2.6%) seen in our patient population.

Adolescent

Use of continuous infusion granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor alone or followed by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor to enhance engraftment following high-dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation for lymphoid malignancies.

We evaluated the differences in engraftment and toxicities post-autologous transplant using granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) as a continuous infusion either alone or in a sequential manner with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) for lymphoid malignancies participated in two phase II trials evaluating either continuous infusion GM-CSF (GM-CSF (CI)) or continuous infusion GM-CSF followed by sequential G-CSF (GM-CSF/G-CSF) administered post-ABMT. These patients were compared to similar historical control patients receiving GM-CSF administered as a 2-h intravenous (i.v.) infusion (GM-CSF (2-h)). Patients receiving GM-CSF (CI) and GM-CSF/G-CSF had a median day to reach an absolute neutrophil count of 500/microliter post-ABMT of 12 and 11 days, respectively. This compared to a median day of 22 in the GM-CSF (2-h) historical control patients. The median day to platelet independence was 18, 18 and 30 days, respectively. The incidence of toxicities such as incidence of infection, pleural effusions, and rash did not differ greatly between the groups. We conclude that the use of continuous infusion GM-CSF either alone or sequentially with G-CSF produced improved engraftment times compared to historical control patients treated with GM-CSF as a 2-h i.v. infusion. The toxicities at a reduced dose of 125 micrograms/m2 given as a continuous infusion appear to be similar to those seen in patients receiving GM-CSF as a 2-h infusion.

Adult