G‐CSF is not necessary to maintain over 99% dose–intensity with ABVD in the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma: low toxicity and excellent outcomes in a 10‐year analysis

Dose-intensity of chemotherapy is important in the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is commonly used to maintain it. We reviewed all newly diagnosed HL patients who were treated at our institution between 1996 and 2005. Fifty-nine patients received adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) chemotherapy with no dose reductions, treatment delays, and without G-CSF, regardless of absolute neutrophil count (ANC). The median ANC on all ABVD treatment days (n = 658) was 0.925 x 10(9)/l, and was 99% dose-intensity without G-CSF support, regardless of the ANC.