Early versus delayed administration of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor following chemotherapy in pediatric patients with Ewing sarcoma

BackgroundThe optimal timing of initiating granulocyte-colony stimulating factor following chemotherapy in pediatric patients has not been clearly defined. This study aimed to compare the administration of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor on day 1 versus day 3 postchemotherapy in pediatric patients with Ewing sarcoma.MethodA retrospective study of pediatric patients with Ewing sarcoma who received granulocyte-colony stimulating factor following chemotherapy between January 2016 and September 2018 at a comprehensive cancer center. The institution’s chemotherapy protocol for Ewing sarcoma was modified in April 2017 to include granulocyte-colony stimulating factor initiation on day 3 instead of day 1 post-chemotherapy. Febrile neutropenia requiring hospitalization, duration of hospital stay, and chemotherapy delay were compared for patients before and after the protocol change.ResultsOver the study period, 250 cycles were evaluated with day 1 granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and 221 cycles with day 3 granulocyte-colony stimulating factor. There were no differences between the day 1 and day 3 groups in the number of cycles associated with Febrile neutropenia requiring hospitalization (34 vs. 19, p = 0.086), and the length of Febrile neutropenia-related hospitalization (mean 4 ± 2.1 vs. 4.6 ± 1.8, p = 0.123). However, delay in chemotherapy due to neutropenia was reported in significantly more cycles in the day 1 group, compared to the day 3 group (37 vs. 16, p = 0.01).ConclusionsFebrile neutropenia resulting in hospital admission and the length of hospital stay was not different between pediatric patients with Ewing sarcoma who received granulocyte-colony stimulating factor on day 1 or day 3 post-chemotherapy. Chemotherapy delay due to neutropenia was higher in patients who received granulocyte-colony stimulating factor on day 1. Larger studies are required to fully determine the impact of delayed initiation of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor.

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Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in established febrile neutropenia: a randomized study of pediatric patients.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.1997.15.3.1163 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 15 (3) ◽

pp. 1163-1170 ◽

Cited By ~ 82

Author(s):

P L Mitchell ◽

B Morland ◽

M C Stevens ◽

G Dick ◽

D Easlea ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Febrile Neutropenia ◽

Hospital Stay ◽

Pediatric Patients ◽

Randomized Study ◽

Severe Neutropenia ◽

Double Blind Study ◽

Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor ◽

Colony Stimulating Factor ◽

Double Blind ◽

Stimulating Factor

PURPOSE Infection in neutropenic patients is potentially life-threatening and carries important implications for hospital resource use. Prophylactic administration of cytokines may reduce the severity of neutropenia, but involves the treatment of all patients for the possible benefit of a minority. This study evaluates whether treatment with cytokines in the setting of established febrile neutropenia will influence outcome and be potentially more cost-effective. PATIENTS AND METHODS In a double-blind study, pediatric patients with fever and severe neutropenia were randomized to receive granulocyte colony-stimulating factor ([G-CSF] filgrastim; 5 microg/kg/d) or placebo, in addition to antibiotics. The study protocol required a resolution of fever and a neutrophil count > or = 0.2 x 10(9)/L for hospital discharge. Patients could be randomized for up to four independent febrile episodes. A total of 186 episodes of febrile neutropenia were investigated. RESULTS Patients randomized to G-CSF had a shorter hospital stay (median, 5 v 7 days; P = .04) and fewer days of antibiotic use (median, 5 v 6 days; P = .02). G-CSF-treated patients also had more rapid neutrophil recovery and higher neutrophil levels at discharge. The 2-day reduction in hospital stay reduced the median bed cost by 29% per patient admission (P = .04). CONCLUSION Under the clinical guidelines of our institution, the use of G-CSF in the treatment of established febrile neutropenia produced a small but significant reduction in the time that children required antibiotics and hospital admission, with possible cost savings.

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