In the literature various regimes are described for successful collection of haematopoietic stem cells in patients with multiple myeloma. Most frequently cyclophosphamide is used, 5 g/m2 combined with different doses of haematopoietic growth factors. In our group the yields and tolerance of three stimulating regimes are compared: 1. cyclophosphamide 5 g/m2 and filgrastim (G-CSF) 5 micrograms/kg 2. cyclophosphamide 5 mg/m2 and filgrastim 10 micrograms/kg 3. cyclophosphamide 5 g/m2 and figrastim 5 micrograms/kg along with erythropoitin 50 IU/kg. Cyclophsphamide is administered always on the first day and the haematopoietic growth factors then from the third day till the end of collection of haematopoitic cells. In patients with multiple myeloma where only four cycles of VAD chemotherapy preceded and where radiotherapy of the axial skeleton was not used, optimal collection of haematopoietic stem cells was achieved after administration of cyclohosphamide 5 g/m2 with subsequent administration of 5 micrograms/kg G-CSF. By increasing the dose of G-CSF to 10 micrograms/kg or adding 50 IU/kg erthropoietin did not lead to a significant improvement of the tolerance and yield of this procedure.

Keywords: Cyclophosphamide /administration & dosage/; Drug Administration Schedule; Erythropoietin /administration & dosage/; Filgrastim; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor /administration & dosage/; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization /methods/; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Humans; Multiple Myeloma /therapy/; Recombinant Proteins