Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
3945973 | Gynecologic Oncology | 2009 | 4 Pages |
ObjectivePegfilgrastim is indicated to decrease the incidence of febrile neutropenia in patients with gynecologic malignancies who are receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy. We sought to compare the safety and efficacy of day 1 pegfilgrastim administration to day 2 administration in patients with gynecologic malignancies.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated patients receiving both chemotherapy and pegfilgrastim from June 1, 2006 to August 31, 2007 for a gynecologic malignancy. Abstracted data included patient demographics, pathology, blood counts, toxicity, and chemotherapy. After administration of chemotherapy, all patients either received 6 mg of pegfilgrastim subcutaneously on day 1 or day 2.Results1226 administrations of pegfilgrastim in 230 patients were identified. 490 administrations of pegfilgrastim were given on day 1 compared to 736 on day 2. 70% of patients had ovarian cancer with a median age of 64 years (range 15–88). 79% of patients had stage III, IV, or recurrent disease and 67% were undergoing primary chemotherapy. The most common chemotherapy was docetaxel/carboplatin (53%) followed by paclitaxel/carboplatin (19%). The mean absolute neutrophil count (ANC) nadir was 4810/mm3 in the day 1 cohort compared to 4212/mm3 in the day 2 cohort (p = .004). The incidence of Grade 3/4 neutropenia was similar in both groups (4.9% in day 1 vs. 5.7% in day 2; p = .63). Grade 3/4 febrile neutropenia was uncommon in both cohorts (0 episodes vs. 3 episodes; p = .41). Treatment delays were similar in both cohorts (5.9% vs. 7.5%; p = .35). Dose modifications were also similar in both cohorts (2.8% vs. 5.3%; p = .06).ConclusionDay 1 administration of pegfilgrastim is as effective as day 2 administration in the prevention of neutropenia in patients with gynecologic malignancies. Treatment delays and dose modifications were not increased after day 1 administration of pegfilgrastim. Administering pegfilgrastim on day 1 appears to be safe, effective, and convenient in selected patients receiving myelopsuppressive chemotherapy for gynecologic malignancies.