• Patrizia Zappasodi, Anna Maria Nosari, Cesare Astori, Dennis Ciapanna, Maurizio Bonfichi, Marzia Varettoni, Silvia Mangiacavalli, Enrica Morra, Mario Lazzarino, and Alessandro Corso.
• Division of Hematology, Foundation IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy. p.zappasodi@smatteo.pv.it
• Transfusion. 2008 May 1; 48 (5): 857-60.

BackgroundPegylated filgrastim (PEG-f), a long-lasting granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor, has been used in different hematologic conditions to shorten chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and to mobilize peripheral blood stem cells. Data on mobilization efficacy in patients with multiple myeloma are, however, still limited.Study Design And MethodsThe feasibility and mobilizing capacity of DCEP chemotherapy followed by a single subcutaneous dose of 6 mg of PEG-f in 23 myeloma patients (11 females and 12 males) whose median age was 55 years (range, 31-67 years) were investigated.ResultsThe median number of CD34+ cells collected was 5.72 x 10(6) per kg body weight with a range between 0 x 10(6) and 29.4 x 10(6) per kg body weight. Twenty patients (87%) yielded more than 2 x 10(6) per kg body weight CD34+ cells. Among the 22 patients who mobilized some CD34+ cells, 27 leukapheresis procedures were carried out (a single leukapheresis procedure in 17 patients and 2 leukapheresis procedures in 5). The median interval between the start of chemotherapy and the first leukapheresis procedure was 12 days (range, 11-16 days). With regard to tolerability, 7 patients complained of mild to moderate back pain, controlled with oral analgesics. No patient was hospitalized, and no fever or infections occurred.ConclusionThese results, compared with those previously reported for the DCEP-filgrastim combination, suggest that DCEP chemotherapy followed by PEG-f is a promising combination to mobilize peripheral blood stem cells in myeloma patients.

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