Evaluating the Safety of G-CSF Mobilization in Individuals With Beta Thalassemia Major

"Hydroxyurea: Subjects will be treated for one month with hydroxyurea at a starting dose of 10 mg/kg orally (closest approximation to 500 mg capsule, alternate day dosing, e.g. 500 alternating with 1000 to achieve 750 mg average daily dose), once daily, with a gradual dose escalation up to 20 mg/kg (in non-splenectomized patients) and up to 25 mg/kg (in splenectomized patients).~G-CSF: G-CSF will be administered subcutaneously. In general, G-CSF will be administered at 10μg/kg/day (5μg/kg on a twice a day schedule) for at least 4-5 days before leukapheresis and for 1-2 additional days during collections. For the splenectomized patients who are not receiving HU pretreatment, and for the splenectomized patients who receive HU pretreatment who have greater than or equal to 12,000 WBCs before G-CSF, G-CSF will start at a lower dose (for example, 1.5 or 2.5 µg/kg); the next doses will be adjusted by the Principal Investigator based on the observed degree of leukocytosis."