title: Imipenem-cilastatin versus sulbactam-cefoperazone plus amikacin in the initial treatment of febrile neutropenic cancer patients.
abstract: The treatment of infectious complications in cancer patients has evolved as a consequence of the developments in the chemotherapy of cancer patients. In this prospective, randomized study, we compared imipenem-cilastatin and sulbactam-cefoperazone with amikacin in the empiric therapy of febrile neutropenic (< 1000/mm3) patients with liquids and solid tumours. Of 30 evaluable episodes, 15 were treated with imipenem-cilastatin and 15 were treated with sulbactam-cefoperazone plus amikacin. 73% of episodes were culture-positive: gram-positive pathogens accounted for 62% of the isolates. Bacteremia was the most frequent site of infection. The initial clinical response rate for both regimens was 60% (p > 0.05). No major adverse effects occurred. This study demonstrated that imipenem-cilastatin monotherapy and combination therapy of sulbactam-cefoperazone plus amikacin were equally effective empiric therapy for febrile granulocytopenic cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Bayindir Medical Centre, Division of Medical Oncology, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ozyilkan
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Yalçintaş
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Başkan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000583:Amikacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D002438:Cefoperazone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015377:Cilastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015378:Imipenem / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013407:Sulbactam / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D015377:Cilastatin; D015378:Imipenem; D002438:Cefoperazone; D000583:Amikacin; D013407:Sulbactam