G-CSF Linked With Some Reduction in Neutropenia-related Hospitalization

Among patients with breast cancer who received docetaxel and cyclophosphamide (TC), or docetaxel, carboplatin, and trastuzumab (TCH) regimens, primary granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was associated with low-to-modest benefit in lowering risk for neutropenia-related hospitalization, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.¹

In a retrospective analysis, researchers led by Abiy Agiro, PhD, examined data from 8745 patients who were at least 18 years of age to determine outcomes after G-CSF prophylaxis with risk for neutropenia-related hospitalization. In total, 4815 received TC, 2292 received TCH, and 1638 received conventional-dose doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC).

Primary prophylaxis, which was defined as G-CSF administration within 5 days of chemotherapy initiation, was associated with a reduced risk of neutropenia-related hospitalization for TC and TCH, but not AC.

Twenty patients would have to be treated for 21 days with the TC regimen to avoid 1 neutropenia-related hospitalization, while 18 patients would have to be treated with the TCH regimen to avoid 1 neutropenia-related hospitalization.

Reference

1. Agiro A, Ma Q, Acheson AK, et al. Risk of neutropenia-related hospitalization in patients who received colony-stimulating factors with chemotherapy for breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2016 Sep 19. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2016.67.2899 [Epub ahead of print]