Haematologica (Dec 2007)
A randomized comparison of immediate versus delayed application of G-CSF in induction therapy for patients with acute myeloid leukemia unfit for intensive chemotherapy
Abstract
We randomized 66 elderly patients with AML unfit for conventional chemotherapy to receive GCSF from d6 or from d12 after induction-chemotherapy with cytarabine/idarubicin. There was no difference in duration of neutropenia (17 days vs. 19 days, p=0.67) or rate of complications. Delayed treatment can reduce the administration of G-CSF without adverse consequences.