Effects of a formulary change from granulocyte colony-stimulating factor to granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor on outcomes in patients treated with myelosuppressive chemotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects on efficacy and safety of a formulary change from granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) to granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF).


METHODS
Retrospective chart review.


METHODS
Single-center academic institution.


METHODS
Fifty-six patients aged 18 years or older with breast cancer, lung cancer, melanoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who developed neutropenia within 4 weeks after treatment with myelosuppressive chemotherapy and who had been given five or more doses of CSF as primary or secondary prophylaxis from January 1995-March 2002. Twenty-nine patients treated before January 2000 were given G-CSF; after the formulary change in January 2000, 27 patients were primarily given GM-CSF.


RESULTS
The primary efficacy end point was time to an absolute neutrophil count of 1.5x10(3)/mm3 or greater after treatment with CSF. Second and third efficacy end points, respectively, were frequency of febrile neutropenia and effect of CSF treatment on schedule and dose intensity of subsequent chemotherapy cycles. Primary and secondary safety end points, respectively, were frequency of adverse events and use of resources used to manage these events. The time to neutrophil recovery was similar with G-CSF and GM-CSF. Febrile neutropenia was more common in the patients given GM-CSF. Chemotherapy dose delays also were more common in patients treated with GM-CSF, as was the frequency of fever. Use of resources (platelet and red blood cell transfusions, intravenous antibiotics, and hospitalizations) was greater in the patients treated with GM-CSF.


CONCLUSIONS
The formulary change to GM-CSF was associated with a higher frequency of febrile neutropenia, resultant chemotherapy dose delays, more adverse events, and greater use of resources to manage the adverse events. These results suggest that G-CSF and GM-CSF are not therapeutically equivalent, with G-CSF having a superior safety and efficacy profile for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced neutropenic events.
Wong
Siu-Fun
SF
Department of Pharmacy, University of California-Irvine Medical Center, Irvine, California, USA. siuwong@westernu.edu
Chan
Holly O
HO
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005572:Formularies, Hospital as Topic; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor