[Becky]

Nice finds as the first two studies I have not seen. I used GM-CSF (brand name Leukine) instead of Neulasta as my white cell booster taking it days 2-12 after every chemo cycle and for 2-9 after my last chemo cycle.

Who knows why I continue to do well? I pulled out all the stops at the time because Herceptin was not available in the adjuvant setting at the time (even though I got it starting 4 months after chemo was completed).
Leukine was hard to take but I have no reference point on using it versus Neulasta. My first 10 injections after my first chemo instilled profound fatigue and vertigo - especially after the first injection.

GM-CSF is used in all the vaccine trials due to its ability to boost all components of the white blood cell types, not just the neutrophils as Neulasta and Neupogen do. It produces a 9X count on the dendrites, critical to self immunization to cancer cells. I used to always tell myself that I could do this as I was potentially creating a self immunizing (vaccine) system within myself.

Thanks for this post Rich and all the others you post as well.

PS - I did experience leukocytosis with a normal neutrophil count but greatly increased monocytes and lymphocytes. My basophils and einocyphils were increased which exasperated allergic responses (had some trouble with this but could not take antihistimines which would counteract the leukocytosis (which you want to have happen)). Another thing you want to have happen while on this therapy is hives at the injection site and I got that too. A real pain of a side effect but apparently, unless you don't start to get them after shot 7, it may not be doing the job. I was excited when I got the hives (sick, eh?) and then I had to put up with the 4 months of that which is a pain in the butt. You can see I have the Leukine in my signature.