Low-dose filgrastim in patients with breast cancer treated with docetaxel, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to compare low-dose filgrastim (150 microg/day subcutaneously) with standard-dose subcutaneous filgrastim (300 microg/day) or lenograstim (263 microg/day) in preventing febrile neutropenia and hospitalizations in breast cancer patients receiving the docetaxel-doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide regimen.


METHODS
A single-center retrospective data analysis was performed involving 22 adult women with breast cancer who concurrently received the docetaxel-doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide chemotherapy regimen and low-dose filgrastim from March 2004 to February 2007. Data from this study were compared to previously published data in which patients received standard-dose filgrastim or lenograstim.


RESULTS
More patients developed febrile neutropenia in the low-dose filgrastim group compared with the standard-dose group (32% versus 7.5%, respectively; p = 0.0014; relative risk [RR] = 4.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.04-7.83). More patients were hospitalized due to febrile neutropenia in the low-dose filgrastim group compared with the standard-dose group (32% versus 6.5%, respectively; p < 0.001; RR = 4.89; 95% CI, 2.32-9.13). More chemotherapy cycles resulted in febrile neutropenia in the low-dose filgrastim group compared with the standard-dose group (6.7% versus 1.2%, respectively; p < 0.001; RR = 5.58; 95% CI, 2.49-12.27).


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with breast cancer treated with the docetaxel-doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide regimen, low-dose filgrastim was associated with a higher frequency of febrile neutropenia, hospitalization due to febrile neutropenia, and cycles with febrile neutropenia compared with a historical control group treated with standard-dose filgrastim or lenograstim.
Ip
Eric J
EJ
Department of Clinical Sciences, Touro University College of Pharmacy, Vallejo, CA 94592, USA. eric.ip@touro.edu
Lee-Ma
Annette
A
Troxell
Lawrence S
LS
Chan
James
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D000069585:Filgrastim; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D043823:Taxoids; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D000069585:Filgrastim