title: Lenograstim in preventing chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia in patients with soft tissue sarcoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neutropenia and its complications represent one of the principal dose-limiting toxicity issues in chemotherapeutic regimens for soft tissue sarcoma. Prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) reduces the risk of febrile neutropenia (FN). The correct timing of G-CSF administration should be considered in order to optimize the prophylactic treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients (≥18 years old) affected by soft tissue sarcoma and treated with epirubicin and ifosfamide, underwent prophylactic treatment with G-CSF (lenograstim at 263 μg) from day 5 to day 9. The proportion of patients experiencing FN and G4 neutropenia was considered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 36 patients receiving three cycles of chemotherapy with epirubicin plus ifosfamide were treated. None developed FN; G4 neutropenia was reported in 17% of patients. No treatment delay or dose reduction was required, no antibiotic therapy was administered and no hospitalization occurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Five-day lenograstim treatment is efficient as prophylaxis of FN for soft tissue sarcoma chemotherapy regimens and allows maintenance of chemotherapy dose intensity.
authors: Department of Surgical and Oncological Sciences, Via del Vespro 129, 90127 Palermo, Italy. giuseppe.badalamenti@unipa.it
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Badalamenti
authors: Lorena
authors: L
authors: Incorvaia
authors: Salvatore
authors: S
authors: Provenzano
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Bronte
authors: Gaetano
authors: G
authors: Leto
authors: Fabio
authors: F
authors: Fulfaro
authors: Giuseppa
authors: G
authors: Maltese
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007069:Ifosfamide / Q000009:adverse effects; D000078224:Lenograstim; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D015251:Epirubicin; D000078224:Lenograstim; D007069:Ifosfamide