A comparison of international guidelines for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.
OBJECTIVE
Clinical practice guidelines for the prevention of febrile neutropenia in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy utilizing the myeloid growth factors have been developed by several major international professional organizations. This review provides updates on the current status of these guidelines and summarizes recent reported studies currently under review by guideline panels which may alter guideline recommendations.


RESULTS
Whereas the consensus guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) are updated annually, previous evidence-based recommendations from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) are currently undergoing an update in their evidence base and recommendations. These updates will consider and base new recommendations on recent important studies related to the efficacy, safety, and cost of these agents in the prevention of neutropenic complications including febrile neutropenia. New information relating to the risk of second malignancies and the ability of the myeloid growth factors to sustain or increase chemotherapy dose intensity and improve overall survival is reviewed.


CONCLUSIONS
Current guideline recommendations for the prevention of febrile neutropenia are reviewed along with recent published results likely to alter future guideline recommendations on the use of these agents.
Duke University and the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Gary H
GH
Lyman
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D064146:Chemotherapy-Induced Febrile Neutropenia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003115:Colony-Stimulating Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003115:Colony-Stimulating Factors