Randomized Trial of Filgrastim, Sargramostim, or Sequential Sargramostim and Filgrastim After Myelosuppressive Chemotherapy for the Harvesting of Peripheral-Blood Stem Cells

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of filgrastim, sargramostim, or sequential sargramostim and filgrastim on CD34+ cell yields and morbidity after myelosuppressive mobilization chemotherapy (MC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred fifty-six patients were randomized to receive filgrastim (n = 51), sargramostim (n = 52), or sargramostim for 5 days followed by filgrastim (n = 53) after MC with either cyclophosphamide and etoposide (n = 75) or paclitaxel and cyclophosphamide (n = 81). RESULTS: Compared with those who received sargramostim, patients who received filgrastim had faster recovery of an absolute neutrophil count of 0.5 × 109/L or greater (a median of 11 v 14 days; P = .0001), with fewer patients requiring RBC transfusions (P = .008), fewer patients with fever (18% v 52%; P = 0.001), fewer hospital admissions (20% v 42%; P = .013), and less intravenous antibiotic therapy (24% v 69%; P = .001). Patients who received filgrastim yielded more CD34+ cells (median, 7.1 v 2.0 × 106/kg/apheresis; P = .0001), and a higher fraction achieved 2.5 × 106 (94% v 78%; P = .021) and 5 × 106 (88% v 53%; P = .001) or more CD34+ cells/kg with fewer aphereses (median, 2 v 3; P = .002) and fewer days of growth-factor treatment (median, 12 v 14; P = .0001). There were no major differences in outcomes between the filgrastim alone and the sequential regimens. After high-dose chemotherapy, patients who had peripheral-blood stem cells (PBSCs) mobilized with filgrastim or the sequential regimen received higher numbers of CD34+ cells and had faster platelet recovery (P = .015), with fewer patients (P = .014) receiving fewer platelet transfusions (P = .001) than patients receiving sargramostim-mobilized PBSCs. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that filgrastim alone or sequential sargramostim and filgrastim were superior to sargramostim alone for the mobilization of CD34+ cells and reduction of toxicities after MC.