Objective: To observe the effect of cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) combined with recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) on mobilization of autologous peripheral blood stem cells (APBSCs) among malignant lymphoma patients and investigate appropriate dose of Ara-C.
Methods: Twenty-two patients with malignant lymphoma were randomly divided into two groups: in group A 3 g/m2.d-1of Ara-C was administered by intravenous drip in 2 divided doses for two days with the total dose of 6 g/m(2); in group B 5 g/m(2).d(-1) of Ara-C was administered by intravenous drip in two divided doses for two days with the total dose of 10 g/m(2). Blood routine examination was made every day. rhG-SCF at the dose of 300 microg.body(-1).d(-1) was injected subcutaneously once a day since the next day when the white blood cells reached the nadir until the end of APBCS harvest. APBSC harvest began when WBC >/= 5.0 x 10(9)/L and finished when the accumulated mononuclear cells >/= 5 x 10(5)/kg.
Results: The median of days when nadir of WBC appeared was 7 days in group A and 10 days in group B. The median of absolute neutrophil count (ANC) at ite nadir was 0.9X109/L in group A and 0.2 x 10(9)/L in group B. The median of days when ANC reached its nadir was 9 days in group A and 13 days in group B. The median of dose of rhG-CSF was 4.35 microg.kg(-1).d(-1) in group A and 4.35 microg.kg(-1).d(-1) in group B. The median of day when rhG-SCF administration began was the 11th day in group A and the 12th day in group B. The median of rhG-SCF administration days was 5 days in group A and 6 days in group B. The median of day when APBSC harvest began was the 15th day after Ara-C administration in group A and the 16th day in group B. The median of harvest time was 2 days in both groups. The volume, speed, and time of each apheresis were similar in the two groups. The time consumed and number of APBSCs collected in each harvest and the total number of APBSCs collected were similar in these two groups.
Conclusion: Ara-C combined with rhG-CSF is safe and highly effective for APBSC mobilization. 6 g/m(2) is the suitable dose for APBSC mobilization.