Computer models suggest ways to reduce side effects of chemotherapy in children
A drug used to support blood cell production (hematopoiesis) could be more effective in a specific leukemia treatment if administered before chemotherapy rather than after it. This was the outcome of computer simulations that involved researchers from Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg. The finding resulted from a comparison of 323 treatment protocols by the research team led by…
Researchers from Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg have used computer simulations to explore ways to minimize the side effects of chemotherapy in children with leukemia. In one study, they found that administering a drug to support blood cell production (hematopoiesis) before chemotherapy, rather than after, could lead to a more effective treatment for a specific type of leukemia.
The simulation compared 323 treatment protocols and revealed that the combination of Cytarabin and G-CSF growth factor, administered in a specific order, resulted in better outcomes. This finding suggests a potential shift in treatment schedules, which would need to be confirmed through clinical trials.
In the second study, the researchers aimed to address the fluctuations in key immune cells, namely neutrophils, in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. They discovered that these fluctuations could be attributed to both natural hematopoietic feedback mechanisms and specific treatment strategies. The study introduced a new approach called "STEADY treatment," which takes into account the development time of new blood cells when determining optimal dosing.
This method may help maintain more stable blood values and reduce the risk of infection during treatment. However, like the first study, the findings are based on computer simulations and require further validation through clinical trials.
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