Low-dose lenograstim to enhance engraftment after autologous stem cell transplantation: a prospective randomized evaluation of two different fixed doses

BACKGROUND: G‐CSF is used to enhance hemato‐ poietic recovery after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), but the optimal dose of G‐CSF during engraft‐ ment has not been established. The medical cost of ASCT is a serious financial burden in developing countries, and G‐CSF is the most costly drug used in this procedure. We evaluated whether a lower, vial‐size fitted dose of lenograstim is clinically equivalent to a higher fixed dose. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A prospective randomized study was performed on 33 patients (11 non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma, 8 multiple myeloma, 14 breast cancer) undergoing ASCT. Patients were randomly administered 100 µg or 250 µg lenograstim daily starting on the next day of ASCT, with a minimum infusion of 3 × 106 CD34+ cells per kg. RESULTS: For both lenograstim doses, median time to neutrophil engraftment was 9 days and median time to PLT engraftment was 11 days. Episodes of clinically documented infections were 10 per 379 patient‐days in the 100 µg per day group and 10 per 320 patient‐days in the 250 µg per day group. There were no between‐group differences in requirements for transfusion of RBCs or PLTs. Duration of hospitalization was 16 days for the 100 µg per day group and 17 days for the 250 µg per day group. Daily lenograstim dose per patient's body weight and total amount of lenograstim used during ASCT were both significantly lower in the 100 µg per day group. CONCLUSION: Administration of 100 µg per day of lenograstim showed comparable clinical efficacy to 250 µg per day lenograstim for immediate hematopoietic recovery after ASCT. Use of the lower dose was associated with lower overall lenograstim usage and lower cost.