title: Pegfilgrastim compared with filgrastim after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in patients with solid tumours and lymphomas.
abstract: 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.
authors: Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Università di Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 6, 16132, Genova, Italy. aballestrero@unige.it
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Ballestrero
authors: Davide
authors: D
authors: Boy
authors: Roberta
authors: R
authors: Gonella
authors: Maurizio
authors: M
authors: Miglino
authors: Marino
authors: M
authors: Clavio
authors: Valentina
authors: V
authors: Barbero
authors: Alessio
authors: A
authors: Nencioni
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Gobbi
authors: Franco
authors: F
authors: Patrone
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D000069585:Filgrastim