Pegfilgrastim compared with filgrastim after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in patients with solid tumours and lymphomas.
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of pegfilgrastim administered as haematological support after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, we compared 44 patients with solid tumours and lymphomas receiving a 6-mg single dose of pegfilgrastim on day +5 after transplantation to a historical control group of 25 patients receiving filgrastim 5 microg kg(-1) day(-1) starting on day +5. There were no significant differences in haematological recovery nor in the incidence and duration of neutropenic fever. Median duration of grade 4 neutropenia in the pegfilgrastim and filgrastim group was similar. The incidence of grade III-IV mucositis was lower in pegfilgrastim than in filgrastim group due to the significant difference observed among the patients with solid tumours (p = 0.00). The only adverse event considered to be cytokine related was mild to moderate bone pain occurring during haematological recovery. According to the present study design and taking into account the current prices in our institution, the cost of the two drugs was similar in both treatment groups. In conclusion, a single injection of pegfilgrastim administered at day +5 post-transplantation shows comparable safety and efficacy profiles to daily injections of filgrastim and may be cost effective.
Ballestrero
Alberto
A
Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Università di Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 6, 16132, Genova, Italy. aballestrero@unige.it
Boy
Davide
D
Gonella
Roberta
R
Miglino
Maurizio
M
Clavio
Marino
M
Barbero
Valentina
V
Nencioni
Alessio
A
Gobbi
Marco
M
Patrone
Franco
F
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D000069585:Filgrastim; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D036102:Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D000069585:Filgrastim