Intensive leukapheresis as initial therapy for chronic granulocytic leukemia

Intensive leukapheresis has been used as the initial treatment of chronic granulocytic leukemia (CGL) in six patients. The number of leukaphereses ranged from 3 in 7 days to 13 in 39 days (mean, 8 in 22 days). The procedures were well tolerated, and in all patients there was improvement in hematologic values, in most cases with considerable reduction in the peripheral leukocytosis and thrombocytosis and in the proportion of immature granulocytic cells in the circulation. Splenomegaly decreased considerably in the four patients who had more than four leukaphereses. Symptoms of sweating, malaise, and pain due to splenomegaly were rapidly relieved. Problems due to hyperuricemia did not occur, but four patients required blood transfusions for correction of anemia. This method of initial treatment of CGL appears to give more rapid relief of symptoms than does conventional chemotherapy; it incurs no risk of hyperuricemia and lessens that associated with thrombocytosis. In addition, large quantities of granulocyte-rich plasma are made available for the treatment of infections in neutropenic patients. Intensive leukapheresis deserves more widespread evaluation as the initial treatment of CGL.