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Becky · 12-23-2009, 02:20 PM

Leukine is also a daily shot as the technology to make it last 10 days (as in Neulasta) is patented. Neulasta and Neupogen are the same drug but Neulasta lasts. Leukine, as you know, is different.

The thing that makes Neulasta last is that polyethylene glycol (Peg) chains are attached comb style to the active. Therefore, it takes the body longer to recognize the drug as "non self" and get rid of it. Therefore, it lasts in the body and keeps working to boost the neutrophils. Neupogen and Leukine do not have this unique feature so it has to be injected daily as the body rids itself of it as "non self". I am hoping I am making it clear.

In dense dose therapy, one really needs the full 10 day regime to get back to go. Three shots are obviously sufficient for Navelbine (a drug I am not personally familar with).

I am not sure 3 doses of Leukine would be enough to work as it takes longer (at least in the 10 day scheme of things) but usually the monocytes boost quick enough to get chemo after 10 days use and 3 down days then chemo.

12-23-2009, 02:20 PM	#7
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	Re: Neupogen verses Neulasta? Leukine is also a daily shot as the technology to make it last 10 days (as in Neulasta) is patented. Neulasta and Neupogen are the same drug but Neulasta lasts. Leukine, as you know, is different. The thing that makes Neulasta last is that polyethylene glycol (Peg) chains are attached comb style to the active. Therefore, it takes the body longer to recognize the drug as "non self" and get rid of it. Therefore, it lasts in the body and keeps working to boost the neutrophils. Neupogen and Leukine do not have this unique feature so it has to be injected daily as the body rids itself of it as "non self". I am hoping I am making it clear. In dense dose therapy, one really needs the full 10 day regime to get back to go. Three shots are obviously sufficient for Navelbine (a drug I am not personally familar with). I am not sure 3 doses of Leukine would be enough to work as it takes longer (at least in the 10 day scheme of things) but usually the monocytes boost quick enough to get chemo after 10 days use and 3 down days then chemo. __________________ Kind regards Becky Found lump via BSE Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45 1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side) 2 micromets to sentinel node Stage 2A left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg lumpectomies 9/7/04 4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol Used Leukine instead of Neulasta 35 rads on right side only 4/05 started Tamoxifen Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations Oophorectomy 8/05 Started Arimidex 9/05 Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06 Arimidex Only Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia NED 18 years! Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"