Use of cytokines in clozapine-induced agranulocytosis.

OBJECTIVE

To report and review the use of cytokines for the treatment of clozapine-induced neutropenia.

METHOD: Case report and review of literature.

RESULTS

Cytokines, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), appear to shorten the duration of clozapine-induced neutropenia.

CONCLUSIONS

G-CSF or GM-CSF therapy should be considered in patients with profound neutropenia of prolonged duration (high-risk neutropenia).