The Effect of Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor in Remission Induction Chemotherapy of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia / 대한혈액학회지

BACKGROUND: Colony stimulating factors have been shown to accelerate recovery from severe neutropenia after intensive chemotherapy. To prove its clinical effectiveness, we conducted this study of administration of G- CSF in acute myelogenous leukemia after remission induction chemotherapy. METHODS: Thirty six patients with acute myelogenous leukemia were assigned to one of two groups (21 to G-CSF treated group, 15 to control group) after remission induction che motherapy administration. Treatment with G-CSF (lenograstim, 200ng/m2/d) was started 5 days after the end of chemotherapy and continued until the neutrophil count rose above 1,500/mm3. RESULTS: Treatment with G-CSF shortened neutropenic period after chemotherapy. The median time to recovery to neutrophil counts more than 500/mm3 from the end of chemotherapy was 19 days in G-CSF treated group and 25 days in control group. The incidence of infection was 19 cases in G-CSF treated group and 13 cases in control group and febrile periods were 12 days in G-CSF treated group and 15 days in control group, but there were no statistically significant differences. The duration of antibiotics treatment in G-CSF treated group was shorter than that of control group. There was no evidence that G-CSF could increase remission duration and overall survival. CONCLUSION: Recombinant G-CSF is safe and useful in patients after intensive chemotherapy, accelerating neutrophil recovery and thereby reducing the duration of antibiotics administration.

A Case of Postpartum Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura-Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome / 대한혈액학회지

The postpartum thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura-hemolytic uremic syndrome is a rare complication of normal pregnancy and delivery that is described as a constellation of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure. We report a case in patient with postpartum thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura-hemolytic uremic syndrome who was successfully treated with plasama exchange and prednisolone. Relevant literature was reviewed.