Palifermin for oral mucositis in the high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplant setting: the Royal Adelaide Hospital Cancer Centre experience

Abstract

Goals of work: the aim of this paper was to review the initial use of Palifermin(rHu-KGF1) in a single institution, for the prevention of oral mucositis in high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation.

Methods: the case records of the first five patients treated with Palifermin at the Royal Adelaide Hospital Cancer Centre were reviewed, and incidence,severity and duration of the oral mucositis were recorded, as well as demographics and toxicities.

Results: two of the five patients developed grade 4 mucositis, and the remaining three patients developed grade 2 mucositis. Palifemin was well tolerated with only one patient developing a rash.

Conclusions: the severity of oral mucositis was less than would be expected in these patients without anti-mucositis therapy. Palifermin was well tolerated. Obviously this single institution report is from a very small cohort of patients, but it is encouraging for the ease of use of this drug in the future.