[Colony-stimulating factors and HIV-related neoplasms].

Objective: it is analyzed a group of patients with HIV related malignancy treated with myelosuppressive therapy with granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) to study the efficacy of hematopoietic growth factors in these subjects.

Patients And Methods: it was studied the clinical and hematological evolution of 20 patients with HIV related malignancy treated with standard dose of chemotherapy and 5 micrograms/Kg/day of G-CSF starting 24 hours after the completion of chemotherapy administration. It was done an epidemiological study and was determined haemoglobin level, and the number of leukocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, CD4+ lymphocytes and platelets before and after the chemotherapy administration.

Results: all of the patients were men with mean age of 37 +/- 2 years. The mean of lymphocyte CD4+ count was 17 x 10(6)/l and the tumor was the first aids manifestation in 50% of the subjects. The mean days of hospitalization was 14 +/- 3 days. As the result of the G-CSF administration, the leucocyte and the neutrophil count was statistically elevated (p < 0.01) and the platelets, the lymphocytes and the monocytes were not statistically elevated. Only one patient had a severe adverse reaction. Seventeen patients (85%) are dead, but only in 3 the cause was an infectious disease.

Conclusion: the use of G-CSF prophylactically can elevate the neutrophil count and avoid the apparition of febrile neutropenia in patients with HIV related malignancies.