A Comparison of Levofloxacin and Oral Third Generation Cephalosporins As Antibacterial Prophylaxis in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) during Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia

• Published in: Blood 2016-12, Vol.128 (22), p.3986-3986
• Main Authors: Yemm, Kristyn E., Barreto, Jason N., Dierkhising, Ross A., Mara, Kristin C., Gangat, Naseema, Tosh, Pritish K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0006-4971; 1528-0020
• DOI: 10.1182/blood.V128.22.3986.3986

▪ Background: There is demonstrated benefit when administering fluoroquinolones as infection prophylaxis in neutropenic patients; however, side effects, drug interactions and increasing drug resistance necessitate investigation toward safe and effective alternative therapies. This study investigates the use of oral third generation cephalosporins as antibacterial prophylaxis during chemotherapy-induced neutropenia to establish knowledge on alternative treatment options. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed to compare incidence of febrile neutropenia and documented infection rates in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and intermediate to high International prognostic scoring system (IPSS) risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients receiving antibacterial chemoprophylaxis at Mayo Clinic between January 2006 and April 2016. Patients were included if they were 18 years or older, had a diagnosis confirmed on bone marrow biopsy, received induction or first relapse induction-remission chemotherapy regimens and then subsequently were prescribed fluoroquinolone or an oral third generation cephalosporin prophylaxis for anticipated profound and prolonged neutropenia. The main regimens prescribed were cytarabine + anthracycline (7+3), daunorubicin + cytarabine + nilotinib, mitoxantrone + etoposide + cytarabine, all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) + anthracycline, all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) + arsenic, clofarabine + cytarabine, or an investigational trial. After meeting inclusion criteria the treatment arms were matched via Charlson comorbidity index ( ± 3) and age ( ± 5). Patients with a documented infection 48 hours after switching from either broad spectrum antibiotics to antibacterial prophylaxis, or from levofloxacin prophylaxis to an oral third generation cephalosporin were excluded from the study. All patients provided consent for review of their medical records for research purposes. This study was approved by the Mayo Foundations institutional review board. Results: A total of 565 patients admitted to Mayo Clinic inpatient leukemia service for chemotherapy and concurrently prescribed antibacterial prophylaxis with either levofloxacin or an oral third generation cephalosporin were screened between January 1, 2006 and April 1, 2016. Of those screened 397 patients met the inclusion criteria, and subsequently 123 patients were matched via Charlson comorbidity index and age. Patient characteristics are presented in Table I. Of the 123 study patients, 80 (6