Pegfilgrastim in pediatric cancer patients

J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2005 Nov;27(11):627-9. doi: 10.1097/01.mph.0000188631.41510.23.

Abstract

Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia is a major dose-limiting side effect of intensive chemotherapy in cancer patients. Recently, pegfilgrastim (a product with a long half-life, resulting in once-per-cycle dosage) was introduced to prevent neutropenia in adults. The authors report 32 episodes of pegfilgrastim use in seven pediatric cancer patients to diminish chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Feasibility was assessed by adherence to treatment protocol and safety was assessed by adverse effects. There were only two treatment delays (6%) due to neutropenia. No short-term adverse effects were recorded. The use of pegfilgrastim is feasible in pediatric cancer patients, without short-term adverse effects or major treatment delay due to neutropenia.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Filgrastim
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasms / complications*
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neutropenia / chemically induced
  • Neutropenia / drug therapy*
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Recombinant Proteins

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
  • pegfilgrastim
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Filgrastim