Pegfilgrastim for chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.
Many chemotherapy regimens cause myelosuppression, which can result in febrile neutropenia and potentially lead to serious infections. The risk of neutropenia and its complications can be reduced with filgrastim, a granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor. Filgrastim is safe and effective, but it is cleared rapidly from the body (predominantly through the kidneys) and requires daily administration for up to 14 days. A pegylated form of filgrastim, pegfilgrastim, has been developed by attaching a polyethylene glycol molecule to filgrastim. Pegfilgrastim has an extended circulation half-life and self-regulating, patient-specific pharmacokinetics, making it possible to give the treatment as a single dose once per chemotherapy cycle. Clinical trials have shown that a single, subcutaneous dose of pegfilgrastim is as safe and effective as daily filgrastim injections in patients treated with myelosuppressive chemotherapy. In addition, a single, 6 mg fixed dose of pegfilgrastim per chemotherapy cycle is sufficient in adult patients, regardless of their body weight, making pegfilgrastim a simple, effective, and well-tolerated option for managing chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.
Bedell
Cindi
C
cindi.bedel@usoncology.com
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D000069585:Filgrastim; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011379:Prognosis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D000069585:Filgrastim