Effect of primary prophylaxis with pegfilgrastim in endometrial cancer patients treated with doxorubicin and cisplatin

Abstract

Objective: Although the incidence of febrile neutropenia (FN) is relatively higher for doxorubicin and cisplatin combination regimen than for other regimens in endometrial cancer, evidence regarding the efficacy of pegfilgrastim in this regimen is lacking.

Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 58 patients with endometrial cancer who were treated with doxorubicin plus cisplatin. The patients were divided into primary prophylaxis and non-prophylaxis groups. We compared the incidence of FN and neutropenia as well as the chemotherapy relative dose intensity (RDI) and usage of antibiotics between the groups.

Results: The rates of FN (8.0% vs. 34.8%) and grade 4 neutropenia (12.0% vs. 87.0%) were significantly lower in the primary prophylaxis group. Although there was no difference in the RDI between the groups, the primary prophylaxis group had a lower rate of antibiotic prescriptions.

Conclusion: Prophylaxis with pegfilgrastim efficiently prevented FN in patients treated with doxorubicin and cisplatin.

Keywords: Endometrial cancer; Febrile neutropenia; Pegfilgrastim.