title: Palifermin in children undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation: a matched-pair analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Keratinocyte growth factor (palifermin) is used for prevention of mucositis in adults following autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). It is known that palifermin decreases length of initial hospital stay, mean number of days of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and the use of opioids for pain control in oral mucositis in adults. There are limited data evaluating palifermin use in children following autologous HSCT.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the present study was the analysis of efficacy and safety of palifermin in children undergoing auto-HSCT.
  
  
  METHODS
  This matched-pair analysis study included 62 pediatric patients undergoing first auto-HSCT receiving palifermin on a compassionate-use basis (study group, n=31) or not (control group, n=31).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Palifermin decreased the incidence of severe (grade 3-4 WHO) oral mucositis (p=0.041), length of hospitalization (p=0.047) and contributed to the shorter duration of oral mucositis (p=0.035) and lower incidence of clinically or microbiologically documented infections (p=0.038). There were no differences between groups in opioid use, neutrophil and platelet recovery, TPN use and gastrointestinal hemorrhage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Palifermin decreases the incidence and severity of oral mucositis in children undergoing autologous HSCT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Czyzewski
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Debski
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krenska
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Mariusz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wysocki
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, Poland jstyczynski@cm.umk.pl.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Styczynski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D064592:Autografts; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D051523:Fibroblast Growth Factor 7 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016555:Matched-Pair Analysis; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D051523:Fibroblast Growth Factor 7
keywords: Keratinocyte growth factor; autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; chemotherapy; children; oral mucositis