Patients Receiving Palifermin in Conjunction with Melphalan 200 Required Fewer Platelet Transfusions: Analysis of a Retrospective Cohort Study

• Published in: Blood 2006-11, Vol.108 (11), p.5261-5261
• Main Authors: Hutcherson, Donald A., Langston, Amelia, Lin, Cheryl H., Flowers, Christopher, Lechowicz, Mary Jo, Waller, Ned, Sessions, Jolynn K., Kaufman, Jonathan L., Khoury, H. Jean, Lonial, Sagar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0006-4971; 1528-0020
• DOI: 10.1182/blood.V108.11.5261.5261

Background: Mucosal injury and concomitant associated side effects represents a major toxicity of autologous transplant for myeloma. The use of Palifermin has been demonstrated to reduce mucositis severity scores and duration in randomized trials. We sought to evaluate the effect of palifermin on overall platelet transfusion requirements as an indirect measure of reduced GI toxicity. Since palifermin has been shown to decrease mucosal damage caused by conditioning regimens for PBSCT, it was theorized that palifermin's protective effects might lead to a reduction in the platelet transfusion requirements for these patients. Methods: Thirty six consecutive myeloma PBSCT patients conditioned with melphalan 200 mg/m2 plus palifermin (dosed per manufacturers recommendations) were retrospectively evaluated for platelet transfusion requirements following autologous transplant. As a historical control, data were retrospectively collected on thirty eight consecutive myeloma PBSCT patients conditioned with the same regimen prior to the routine use of palifermin. Platelet support consists of transfusion of leukoreduced irradiated single donor pheresis products. Platelet transfusions were dictated by standard clinical practice on the transplant service either for a routine platelet count