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Effects of granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor on potential normal granulocyte donors
Author(s) -
McCullough J.,
Clay M.,
Herr G.,
Smith J.,
Stroncek D.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1046/j.1537-2995.1999.39101136.x
Subject(s) - granulocyte colony stimulating factor , granulocyte , leukapheresis , medicine , nausea , absolute neutrophil count , side effect (computer science) , anesthesia , chemotherapy , neutropenia , stem cell , biology , cd34 , computer science , genetics , programming language
BACKGROUND: The use of granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor (G–CSF) to increase the granulocyte count and the yield from leukapheresis in normal donors is leading to renewed interest in granulocyte transfusion. Therefore, it is important to understand the side effects of G–CSF. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We studied the effect of G–CSF on peripheral blood counts and recorded the side effects experienced 24 hours after an injection of G–CSF in normal subjects donating peripheral blood progenitor cells for research. RESULTS: Following administration of G–CSF to 261 donors, the neutrophil count increased to 20.6 to 24.5 × 10 9 per μL depending on the dose of G–CSF. This represented a 6.2 to 7.4‐fold increase over the neutrophil count before G–CSF administration. Of all donors, 69 percent experienced one or more side effects. The most common effects were: muscle and bone pain, headache, fatigue, and nausea. There was a relationship between the dose of G–CSF and the likelihood of experiencing a side effect. Most side effects were mild, but about 75 percent of donors took analgesics because of them. CONCLUSIONS: In a granulocyte donation program involving G–CSF stimulation, about two‐thirds of donors would experience one or more side effects, but these would usually be mild and well tolerated.