Lenograstim in preventing chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia in patients with soft tissue sarcoma

Background: Neutropenia and its complicationsrepresent one of the principal dose-limiting toxicity issues inchemotherapeutic regimens for soft tissue sarcoma.Prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)reduces the risk of febrile neutropenia (FN). The correcttiming of G-CSF administration should be considered in orderto optimize the prophylactic treatment. Patients and Methods:Patients (≥18 years old) affected by soft tissue sarcoma andtreated with epirubicin and ifosfamide, underwent prophylactictreatment with G-CSF (lenograstim at 263 μg) from day 5 today 9. The proportion of patients experiencing FN and G4neutropenia was considered. Results: A total of 36 patientsreceiving three cycles of chemotherapy with epirubicin plusifosfamide were treated. None developed FN; G4 neutropeniawas reported in 17% of patients. No treatment delay or dosereduction was required, no antibiotic therapy wasadministered and no hospitalization occurred. Conclusion:Five-day lenograstim treatment is efficient as prophylaxis ofFN for soft tissue sarcoma chemotherapy regimens and allowsmaintenance of chemotherapy dose intensity.