Medical and pediatric oncology
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Med. Pediatr. Oncol. · Aug 1997
Comparative Study Clinical TrialGranulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in association with high-dose chemotherapy (VETOPEC) for childhood solid tumors: a report from the Australia and New Zealand Children's Cancer Study Group.
Combination chemotherapy with vincristine, etoposide, and high-dose, escalating cyclophosphamide (VETOPEC) is an effective regimen in pediatric patients with high-risk solid tumors. The toxicity of the regimen is predominantly haematologic. This study addressed the role of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) following each cycle of chemotherapy in decreasing neutropaenia, incidence of fever/ hospitalization, and/or increasing chemotherapy dose-intensity. ⋯ GM-CSF led to significantly more rapid neutrophil recovery following VETOPEC chemotherapy, but did not lead to any demonstrable clinical benefit, either in reducing febrile events, or in increasing chemotherapy dose intensity.