Difference Between Filgrastim and Lenograstim

The key difference between filgrastim and lenograstim is that filgrastim is a recombinant methionyl human G CSF which is expressed by E. coli while lenograstim is a glycosylated recombinant human G CSF which is expressed by Chinese hamster ovarian cell lines.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G CSF) is a protein secreted by many cells such as endothelial cells, monocytes and fibroblasts in our body. The gene that codes for G CSF is present in chromosome 17. G CSF stimulates the bone marrow to produce more neutrophils, which are white blood cells that fight against infectious agents. G CSF is also produced by recombinant DNA technology in order to be administered to patients with severe congenital or chronic neutropenia. Filgrastim and lenograstim are two recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factors that are available for clinical use. Filgrastim is produced in E. coli. Lenograstim is obtained from Chinese hamster ovarian cells. Both filgrastim and lenograstim are cytokine proteins. Lenograstim is a fully glycosylated molecule while filgrastim is a non-glycosylated molecule.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Filgrastim 
3. What is Lenograstim
4. Side by Side Comparison – Filgrastim vs Lenograstim in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Filgrastim?

Filgrastim (r-metHuG-CSF) is a recombinant human G CSF which is a therapeutic agent used to treat low neutrophil count. It is produced using bacterial expression (E. coli) system. It is a cytokine protein which has a molecular weight of 18‚800 daltons. There are several trade names to refer to this medication. They are Neupogen, Granix, Zarxio and Granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor. In fact, filgrastim is a support medication which stimulates the production of granulocytes in patients who have low white blood cell counts. Moreover, filgrastim helps to mature and activate neutrophils. Furthermore, it stimulates the release of neutrophils from the bone marrow. Filgrastim accelerates the recovery of neutrophils by reducing the neutropenic phase, especially in patients receiving chemotherapy.

Filgrastim can inject or infuse into a vein. Generally, this medicine should keep inside a fridge and should remove from the fridge 30 minutes prior to the injection. Most importantly, it should not be shaken or kept under direct sunlight. The dose of filgrastim differs among individuals depending on the height, weight, general health or other health problems (a type of cancer or condition being treated).

What is Lenograstim?

Lenograstim is (rHuG-CSF) a glycosylated recombinant form of human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. It is a form of cytokine protein obtained from Chinese hamster ovarian cells. Therefore, the expression of lenograstim is done in mammalian cells, unlike filgrastim, which is done in bacterial cells. Moreover, unlike filgrastim, which is an aglycosylated molecule, lenograstim is a fully glycosylated molecule.

The trade name of lenograstim is Granocyte. It is an immunostimulator similar to filgrastim. Lenograstim is used to reduce the risk of life-threatening infection in patients with neutropenia. It is often used in the treatment of severe chronic neutropenia. Lenograstim also helps neutrophil recovery in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation. Moreover, it stimulates the production of peripheral blood stem cells for autologous transfusion.

What are the Similarities Between Filgrastim and Lenograstim?

• Both filgrastim and lenograstim are recombinant forms of human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor which are therapeutically useful human growth factors.
• They are given by prolonged intravenous infusion or subcutaneous infusion or injection.
• They are a cytokine group of biologically active proteins.
• Both are immunostimulators.

What is the Difference Between Filgrastim and Lenograstim?

Filgrastim and lenograstim are two therapeutic agents used in chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, acceleration of neutrophil recovery following haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and peripheral blood stem cell mobilization in patients with cancer. Both are a recombinant form of G CSF. Filgrastim is a non-glycosylated molecule which is expressed in E. coli while lenograstim is a fully glycosylated molecule which is expressed in Chinese hamster cell lines (mammalian cells). So, this is the key difference between filgrastim and lenograstim.

Below infographic lists more differences between filgrastim and lenograstim in tabular form.

Summary – Filgrastim vs Lenograstim

Filgrastim and lenograstim are two recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factors. Filgrastim is produced in E. coli expression systems, and it is a non-glycosylated molecule. Lenograstim is produced in Chinese hamster cell lines, and it is a fully glycosylated molecule. Thus, this is the key difference between filgrastim and lenograstim. Both are produced using recombinant DNA technology, and they are available for clinical use. They are widely used to treat neutropenia. They are administered to patients by prolonged intravenous infusion or subcutaneous infusion or injection.

Reference:

1. Keating. “Lenograstim: a Review of Its Use in Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia, for Acceleration of Neutrophil Recovery Following Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and in Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Mobilization.” Drugs, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Available here.
2. “Filgrastim Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information.” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Neupogen-and-box” By Shinowolf – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

2. “Einwegspritze-3” By FNDE – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia