title: Pegfilgrastim in pediatric cancer patients.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Esther M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: te Poele
authors.forename: Willem A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Kamps
authors.forename: Rienk Y J
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Tamminga
authors.forename: Jan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Leeuw
authors.forename: Aleida
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Postma
authors.forename: Evelina S J M
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: de Bont
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D000069585:Filgrastim; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; C455861:pegfilgrastim; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D000069585:Filgrastim