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Pegylated Recombinant Human Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (pegfilgrastim) Reduces Hematological Toxicity in Dose-Adjusted (DA) R-EPOCH in the treatment of Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma

Hematological toxicity is a significant dose limiting side effect in the aggressive treatment of Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). In the current study, pegfilgrastim was given to patients following each cycle of DA R-EPOCH. ANC and platelet nadirs were then compared to a previous report utiliz...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Blood 2004-11, Vol.104 (11), p.4631-4631
Main Authors: Hong, Susanna, Gostanian, Nouneh J., Gladstone, Douglas E., Zamkoff, Kenneth W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Hematological toxicity is a significant dose limiting side effect in the aggressive treatment of Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). In the current study, pegfilgrastim was given to patients following each cycle of DA R-EPOCH. ANC and platelet nadirs were then compared to a previous report utilizing filgrastim. Pegfilgrastim is a covalent conjugate form of filgrastim, whereby a molecule is covalently bonded to the N terminal of filgastrim, allowing the molecule to be cleared slower than filgastrim. The prolonged effect on the promotion of granulocyte proliferation allows for pegfilgrastim to be given once every 2 weeks in comparison to filgrastim which is injected daily. In this study, records of 5 patients treated with DA R-EPOCH for DLBCL were examined. There were a total of 20 cycles with 15 cycles qualifying for analysis in regards to hematological toxicity. To qualify each cycle met the following criteria: i) treatment with R-EPOCH at starting dose or dose-escalation; ii) pegfilgrastim was administered 24 to 48 hours after completion of chemotherapy at the standard dose of 6mg sc; iii) follow-up of at least two weeks following each cycle; iv) CBC monitored at least once weekly. Of the cycles excluded, 3 cycle did not have at least 2 weeks of follow-up, 1 cycle was followed by filgrastim and 1 cycle was treated with R-CHO. Nadir was defined as lowest value obtained from initiation of one cycle to initiation of next cycle or to two weeks from last day of all chemotherapy. Hematological toxicities were graded according to WHO criteria. Grade 4 neutropenia (ANC less than 0.5 x 109/L) occurred in 13% (2/15) of cycles. There was no Grade 3 neutropenia (ANC 0.5 – 1.0 x 109/L). Range of ANC nadir was 0.02 – 4.4 x 109/L with mean of 2.4 x 109/L. There was no Grade 3 thrombocytopenia (Platelet 25 – 50 25 x 109/L) nor Grade 4 thrombocytopenia (Platelet < 25 x 109/L). Range of platelet nadir was 53 – 230 x 109/L with mean of 130. Examining treatment records, 13 cycles of 20 were candidates for dose escalation. Each cycle was included if it followed a cycle of R-EPOCH and the patient had received pegfilgrastim for neutropenic support. Excluded cycles included 5 cycles at starting doses, 1 cycle in which filgrastim was administered prior, and 1 cycle in which the R-CHO was given prior. Following the criteria for allowable DA EPOCH according to the paradigm published in Blood Apr 15, 2002, Vo 99, No 8 pp 2685– 2693, dose escalation was allowed for ANC of at least
ISSN:0006-4971
1528-0020
DOI:10.1182/blood.V104.11.4631.4631