Effect of High-Dose Medroxyprogesterone Acetate on Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Release in Patients with Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of high-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) on the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) release in patients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. We also evaluated the effects of high-dose MPA on hematological parameters (leukocyte, neutrophil, platelet, hemoglobin, hematocrit) and side effects of MPA. One week following the first cycle chemotherapy, 20 patients who devoloped neutropenia were enrolled in the study. One gram/day MPA was administered orally to the patients and was continued from one week following the first chemotherapy cycle to one week after the second chemotherapy cycle. The patients received the second chemotherapy cycle at the same dosages as the first cycle. Before MPA treatment TNF-α levels were lower than posttreatment levels, but the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The differences in the mean leukocyte and neutrophil counts before and after the high-dose MPA treatment were statistically significant (p<0.05).