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Post-Transplant Events

Combined administration of alpha-erythropoietin and filgrastim can improve the outcome and cost balance of autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with lymphoproliferative disorders

Bone Marrow Transplantation volume 34, pages 693–702 (2004)Cite this article

Summary:

We compared the use of G-CSF plus EPO in a group of 32 multiple myeloma and lymphoma patients with historical controls receiving G-CSF alone. Haemopoietic reconstitution was significantly faster in patients receiving G-CSF+EPO (group B), with a median time of 10 days to achieve an ANC count >0.5 × 109/l, compared to 11 days in the historical group (A). The median duration of severe neutropenia (ANC count <100/ml) was significantly shorter in group B compared to group A; platelet counts >20 × 109 and >50 × 109/l were achieved at days +13 and +17, respectively in group B, compared to days +14 and +24, respectively, in group A (P=0.015, 0.002) patients. The transfusion requirement was reduced in group B, with 0 (0–6) RBC units and 1 (0–5) platelet unit transfused in group B vs 2 RBC (0–9) and 2 platelet units (0–8) in group A. Median days of fever, antibiotic therapy and hospital stay were reduced in group B (9.5 days vs 22). The mean cost of autotransplantation per group A patient was 23 988 Euro, compared with 18 394 Euro for a group B patient. Our study suggests that the EPO+G-CSF combination not only accelerates engraftment kinetics, but can also improve the clinical course of ASCT.

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Acknowledgements

This work has been supported by Associazione Italiana contro le Leucemie-Sez. di Ancona (AIL).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinica di Ematologia, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Italy

    A Olivieri, I Scortechini, D Capelli, M Montanari, M Lucesole, G Gini, M Troiani, M Offidani, A Poloni, M C Masia & P Leoni

  2. Facoltà di Economia e Commercio, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Italy

    G M Raggetti

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  1. A Olivieri
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Correspondence to A Olivieri.

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Olivieri, A., Scortechini, I., Capelli, D. et al. Combined administration of alpha-erythropoietin and filgrastim can improve the outcome and cost balance of autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with lymphoproliferative disorders. Bone Marrow Transplant 34, 693–702 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bmt.1704643

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