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Progenitor Cell Mobilisation

High-dose epirubicin, preceded by dexrazoxane, given in combination with paclitaxel plus filgrastim provides an effective mobilizing regimen to support three courses of high-dose dense chemotherapy in patients with high-risk stage II–IIIA breast cancer

Bone Marrow Transplantation volume 32, pages 251–255 (2003)Cite this article

Summary:

We verified the possibility of collecting large amounts of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) to support three courses of adjuvant high-dose dense chemotherapy (HDDC) with high-dose epirubicin, preceded by dexrazoxane, and high-dose paclitaxel, in patients with high-risk breast cancer (⩾9 positive nodes). The mobilizing regimen consisted of high-dose epirubicin 150 mg/m2, preceded by dexrazoxane 1000 mg/m2 (day 1), given in combination with paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 (day 2), plus filgrastim. Of the 25 patients enrolled, one went off study due to a severe hypersensitivity reaction to paclitaxel, another did not undergo leukapheresis due to fever persistent after hematological recovery, while in 23 patients an adequate number of PBSCs was collected by a single leukapheresis. The median number of CD34+, CD34+/CD33−, and CD34+/CD38− cells collected per patient was 17 × 106/kg, 13.4 × 106/kg, and 1.5 × 106/kg, respectively. Neutropenia was the only grade 4 toxicity and lasted a median of 3 days. High-dose epirubicin, preceded by dexrazoxane for the first time used in mobilizing regimen, and paclitaxel plus filgrastim are effective in releasing large amounts of PBSCs, which can then be safely employed to support multiple courses of HDDC.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Italian National Research Council (Project no. 31412), and by a grant from Istituto Oncologico Romagnolo.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncology and Hematology, Santa Maria delle Croci Hospital, Ravenna, Italy

    U De Giorgi, G Rosti & M Marangolo

  2. Oncology Unit, Poliambulanza, Brescia, Italy

    A Zaniboni

  3. Biostatistics Unit, Istituto Oncologico Romagnolo, Forlì, Italy

    M Ballardini

  4. Department of Clinical Pathology, Santa Maria delle Croci Hospital, Ravenna, Italy

    M R Minzi

  5. Blood Bank, Santa Maria delle Croci Hospital, Ravenna, Italy

    M Baioni, E Ferrari & L Zornetta

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  1. U De Giorgi
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De Giorgi, U., Rosti, G., Zaniboni, A. et al. High-dose epirubicin, preceded by dexrazoxane, given in combination with paclitaxel plus filgrastim provides an effective mobilizing regimen to support three courses of high-dose dense chemotherapy in patients with high-risk stage II–IIIA breast cancer. Bone Marrow Transplant 32, 251–255 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bmt.1704125

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