Superoxide production by neutrophils in children with malignant tumors treated with recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor

Institute of Pediatrics, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.

BACKGROUND. Human recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF), widely used to combat chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, stimulates both in vivo and in vitro intra- and extra-cellular O2- production in human polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs). PATIENTS AND METHODS. Twelve patients with solid tumors or acute lymphoblastic leukemia were treated during induced aplasia with rhG-CSF (5 micrograms/kg/day). Intra- and extracellular O2- production by PMNs isolated from these patients after 5 days of rhG-CSF therapy was assessed following both fMLP and PMA stimulation. RESULTS. All patients showed a rise in PMN count; administration of rhG-CSF enhanced intra- and extracellular O2- release after fMLP but not after PMA stimulation. CONCLUSIONS. rhG-CSF potentiates in vivo O2- production by PMNs stimulated with receptor-mediated agonists via G-protein (e.g. fMLP), but not by those stimulated with agonists that bypass receptors via protein kinase C (e.g. PMA).