Febrile Neutropaenia Research Articles

A randomized phase II trial comparing different schedules of nab-paclitaxel (nabP) combined with gemcitabine (GEM) as first line treatment for metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

342 Background: NabP+GEM chemotherapy improves survival compared with standard GEM monotherapy as treatment for advanced PDAC. A PDAC mouse model showed that delivery of nabP prior to GEM generated a higher intratumoural dFdC:dFdU ratio, which correlated with improved outcome. Therefore, scheduling may be critical to optimise clinical benefit. Methods: Patients were randomised to receive nabP+GEM, either concomitantly (CON) or sequentially (SEQ), 24 hours apart. After 6 cycles, patients benefiting from treatment could continue the same regimen until disease progression. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) assessed by 8-weekly CT scanning; secondary endpoints included safety, response rate, overall survival (OS) and quality of life (QoL). Results: Between March 2014 and 2016, 146 patients (71 SEQ, 75 CON) from 19 UK sites were randomly assigned. Median age (range) was 66 (45-82) years; Karnofsky performance status was 70 (in 12% of patients), 80 (27%), 90 (38%) or 100 (24%); 47% of primary tumours were situated in the pancreatic head; 84% had liver metastases. Median number of cycles was 4 SEQ, 3 CON; 50 patients (34%) received ≥ 6 cycles of treatment (41% SEQ, 28% CON). A 24+2hr interval was achieved in over 90% SEQ administrations. Most patients stopped treatment prior to 6 cycles due to disease progression/death (42%) or toxicity (41%). Grade ≥ 3 adverse events experienced by ≥ 10% patients (SEQ, CON) were neutropaenia (54%, 30%), febrile neutropaenia (12%, 12%), fatigue (22%, 16%), vomiting (7%, 11%) and anaemia (10%, 5%). G-CSF was administered to 35 patients (23 SEQ, 12 CON). To date, 109 patients have died. 6-month PFS by SEQ and CON arms was 46.7% and 33.8%; median PFS was 5.8 and 4.3 months. 12-month OS by SEQ and CON arms was 29.1% and 20.1%; median OS was 10.1 and 7.9 months. The objective response rate was 44% SEQ and 30% CON. Mean baseline QoL Global health status was 60.6 SEQ and 63.4 CON. The change from baseline (mean) at 24 weeks was -2.1 SEQ and -12.1 CON. Conclusions: Sequential delivery of nabP and GEM improves progression-free and overall survival. Although more myelosuppressive, QoL was maintained. Clinical trial information: ISRCTN71070888.

Acinetobacter baumannii bacteraemia in patients with haematological malignancy: a multicentre retrospective study from the Infection Working Party of Jiangsu Society of Hematology.

Acinetobacter baumannii (Ab) bacteraemia in patients with haematological malignancies is fatal but rarely reported. We explored the clinical characteristics, drug resistances and prognostic factors in these patients. This multicentre, retrospective study was conducted at the department of haematology wards of 18 tertiary hospitals in China from January 2014 to June 2015. The total clinical isolates from every source were collected from patients with haematological malignancy. Haematological malignancy patients diagnosed with Ab bacteraemia were analysed. During the study period, 40 patients with Ab bacteraemia were identified, accounting for 2.9% (40/1358) of bacteraemia cases, of which 25 (62.5%) had acute leukaemia (AL) and 27 (67.5%) had neutropaenia. Compared with non-neutropaenic patients, neutropaenic patients showed higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) scores and 30-day mortality rates (p < 0.05). The in vitro antibiotic susceptibility of Ab to colistin was highest, at 100%, followed by that of tigecycline (91.30%) and amikacin (75.86%). Compared with the patients who had carbapenem-susceptible Ab infections, patients infected with carbapenem-resistant Ab (CRAB) had significantly longer hospital stays and were more likely to have had exposure to carbapenem before bacteraemia (p < 0.05). The 30-day mortality rate was 32.5%. CRAB, neutropaenia, higher APACHE score, Pitt bacteraemia score and inappropriate initial antimicrobial therapy were significantly associated with 30-day mortality. Multivariable analysis showed that APACHE score and CRAB were independent predictors of 30-day mortality. Haematologic patients with AL and febrile neutropaenia were at high risk of Ab bacteraemia. More attention should be paid to CRAB, which is an independent risk factor for mortality in haematological malignancy patients with Ab bacteraemia.

Malnourishment and length of hospital stay among paediatric cancer patients with febrile neutropaenia: a developing country perspective

ObjectivesThe prevalence of malnourishment among paediatric cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in developing countries is poorly documented despite greater potential for malnourishment in such settings. We aimed to estimate the prevalence...

Neoadjuvant, anthracycline-free chemotherapy with carboplatin and docetaxel in triple-negative, early-stage breast cancer: a multicentric analysis of rates of pathologic complete response and survival

Introduction: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has the highest mortality rates of all subtypes. Anthracycline and taxane regimens yield unsatisfactorily low rates of pathologic complete response (pCR) and are often not feasible in cardiac comorbidity. This study seeks to increase pCR and survival by introducing platin agents.Patients and Methods: In this multicentric, open-label study with six cycles of docetaxel (75 mg/m2) and carboplatin AUC 6 q3w, patients were unwilling or unsuitable for anthracycline-based regimens. Primary endpoint was pCR (ypT0/ypTis ypN0) and survival.Results: pCR rate was 50%. After 2 and 5 years, overall survival (OS) was 96.7 and 89.7%, disease-free-survival (DFS) 96.7 and 85.7%, DDFS 96.7 and 89.6%. Grade 3/4 toxicities were rare. Ninety-three per cent of patients completed six cycles. No toxicity-related treatment discontinuation or febrile neutropaenia was recorded.Conclusion: This regimen is highly effective and feasible in TNBC and may be combined with anthracyclines.

Vinflunine–gemcitabine versus vinflunine–carboplatin as first-line chemotherapy in cisplatin-unfit patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma: results of an international randomized phase II trial (JASINT1)

There is no standard first-line chemotherapy for advanced urothelial carcinoma (aUC) in cisplatin-ineligible (cisplatin-unfit) patients. The study assessed the efficacy and tolerability profile of two vinflunine-based cytotoxic regimens in this setting. Patients with aUC a creatinine clearance (CrCl) of <60 but ≥30 ml/min, performance status 0 or 1 and no prior chemotherapy for advanced disease were randomized (1 : 1). They received vinflunine 250 or 280 mg/m(2) (based on baseline CrCl) on day 1, plus either gemcitabine [750 mg/m(2) escalated to 1000 mg/m(2) in cycle 2 if no toxicity grade (G) ≥2 on days 1 and 8 (VG) or plus carboplatin area under the curve 4.5 day 1 (VC) every 21 days]. To detect a 22% improvement in each arm compared with H0 (41%) in the primary end point, disease control rate (DCR = complete response + partial response + stable disease), 31 assessable patients per arm were required (α = 5%, β = 20%). Sixty-nine patients were enrolled (34 VG, 35 VC). Less G3/4 haematological adverse events (AEs) were reported with VG: neutropaenia was seen in 38% (versus 68% with VC) and febrile neutropaenia in 3% (versus 14% with VC) of patients. No major differences were observed for non-haematological AEs. DCR was 77% in both groups; overall response rate (ORR) was 44.1% versus 28.6%, with a median progression-free survival of 5.9 versus 6.1 months and median OS of 14.0 versus 12.8 months with VG and VC, respectively. Both vinflunine-based doublets offer a similar DCR, ORR and OS. The better haematological tolerance favours the VG combination, which warrants further study. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV PROTOCOL IDENTIFIER: NCT 01599013.

Abstract OT3-02-03: An observational study of dose dense chemotherapy with lipegfilgrastim support in early breast cancer

Abstract Background: The combination of the anthracycline, doxorubicin with cyclophosphamide (AC) is a widely used chemotherapy regimen in early stage breast cancer. Studies have shown that dose dense chemotherapy (incorporating AC) improved both disease-free survival and overall survival compared to once every 3 week treatment with daily subcutaneous G-CSF support. An important advance in the use of dose dense chemotherapy regimens was the development of pegylated forms of G-CSF, which offered the convenience of a single subcutaneous injection, rather than multiple daily injections. Lipegfilgrastim is a pegylated long-acting covalent conjugate of filgrastim (G-CSF). In a pivotal randomised phase III study in breast cancer lipegfilgrastim was shown to be non-inferior to pegfilgrastim. Although lipegfilgrastim is licensed in Europe and can facilitate every 2 week (dose dense) scheduling of chemotherapy there are a lack of prospective data about its efficacy in this setting. In this prospective, non-interventional, study we are investigating the incidence of treatment-related neutropaenia following four cycles of dose dense AC with lipegfilgrastim support. Methods: The primary end point of this prospective, single arm study is to determine the incidence of treatment-related neutropaenia, defined as an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of &amp;lt;1.0 x 109/L, following four cycles of dose dense AC with lipegfilgrastim support. The secondary end points are to (1) determine the incidence of febrile neutropaenia, defined as temperature &amp;gt; 38°C and ANC &amp;lt;1.0 x 109/L, during 4 cycles of dose dense AC with lipegfilgrastim and (2) examine the incidence of treatment-related neutropaenia during subsequent intravenous chemotherapy post completion of AC. Eligibility criteria include, patients with stage I-III breast cancer, planned treatment with dose dense AC in the adjuvant or neoadjuvant setting, age ≥ 18 years, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status 0-1 and adequate bone marrow function. Patients with prior exposure to chemotherapy and/or G-CSF, who are pregnant, have a cardiac or other concurrent illness, which at the investigator's discretion contraindicates the use of AC will be excluded. We will enrol 40 consecutive patients who are planned to undergo dose dense AC. Based on previous clinical trials, we expect that the incidence of treatment-related neutropaenia will be &amp;lt;12%. However, it is likely that the current study will more closely resemble real-world practice and a higher incidence of treatment-related neutropaenia may be observed. This study has been approved by the Instituational Review Board and 9 patients have been consented to date. (registered with clinicaltrials.gov). Citation Format: Lyons T, Mallet V, Collins D, Malone E, Milewski M, Egan K, Hennessy B, Grogan L, Breathnach O, Morris P. An observational study of dose dense chemotherapy with lipegfilgrastim support in early breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr OT3-02-03.

Retrospective analysis of the microbiological spectrum of pneumonia in Turkish patients with lung cancer.

Aim of the studyThe spectrum of pulmonary infections in patients with lung cancer is wide, and tools for target-oriented infection control measures are necessary. In this retrospective study we report the microbiological spectrum of pneumonia (based on the results of sputum culture) in a case series of Turkish patients with lung malignancies.Material and methodsBetween 2010 and 2011 a total of 119 patients (111 males and 8 females, mean age: 59.8 ±9.6 years) with lung cancer and pneumonia were identified at the Department of Medical Oncology of two Turkish Universities (Uludag University, Bursa and Cumhuriyet University, Sivas). Expectorated sputum samples were collected in sterile specimen containers and processed immediately in the hospital bacteriology laboratory.ResultsOf the 119 study patients, 92 (77.3%) had positive isolates from sputum cultures. The most frequent isolate from the sputum of lung cancer patients with pneumonia was Aspergillus fumigatus (n = 22), followed by Haemophilus influenzae (n = 13) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 12). The likelihood of having a positive Aspergillus fumigatus sputum culture was significantly and independently associated with febrile neutropaenia (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.17–3.68, p < 0.05) and the development of pneumonia within the first 10 days of chemotherapy initiation (OR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.37–4.12, p < 0.01).ConclusionsWe conclude that Aspergillus fumigatus was the most frequent isolate, but the high diversity of pathogens clearly challenges the empirical use of antimicrobial drugs.

Improving safety of autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with Crohn's disease

ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility and toxicity of autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for the treatment of refractory Crohn's disease (CD).DesignIn this prospective study, patients with refractory CD suffering an...

Causative Pathogens of Febrile Neutropaenia in Children Treated for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia

Treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) using intensive chemotherapy has resulted in high cure rates but also substantial morbidity. Infective complications represent a significant proportion of treatment-related toxicity. The objective of this study was to describe the microbiological aetiology and clinical outcome of episodes of chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropaenia in a cohort of children treated for ALL at our institution. Patients with ALL were treated with either the HKSGALL93 or the Malaysia-Singapore (Ma-Spore) 2003 chemotherapy protocols. The records of 197 patients who completed the intensive phase of treatment, defined as the period of treatment from induction, central nervous system (CNS)-directed therapy to reinduction from June 2000 to January 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. There were a total of 587 episodes of febrile neutropaenia in 197 patients, translating to an overall rate of 2.98 episodes per patient. A causative pathogen was isolated in 22.7% of episodes. An equal proportion of Gram-positive bacteria (36.4%) and Gram-negative bacteria (36.4%) were most frequently isolated followed by viral pathogens (17.4%), fungal pathogens (8.4%) and other bacteria (1.2%). Fungal organisms accounted for a higher proportion of clinically severe episodes of febrile neutropaenia requiring admission to the high-dependency or intensive care unit (23.1%). The overall mortality rate from all episodes was 1.5%. Febrile neutropaenia continues to be of concern in ALL patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy. The majority of episodes will not have an identifiable causative organism. Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria were the most common causative pathogens identified. With appropriate antimicrobial therapy and supportive management, the overall risk of mortality from febrile neutropaenia is extremely low.

Unplanned oncology admissions within 14 days of non-surgical discharge: a retrospective study.

The aim of this study was to identify the incidence, causes, risk factors and interventions for cancer patients requiring unplanned admissions within 14 days of discharge at a large metropolitan private hospital without a co-located emergency department. Retrospective data were collected on cancer patients who had an unplanned admission within 14 days of discharge during the period December 1, 2011 and May 31, 2012. Data were collected from the inpatient bed administration database and medical record review. Variables collected included demographics, cancer diagnosis, reasons for admission, interventions, and length of stay. A total of 133 oncology patients required 206 unplanned admissions (UPAs). The most common cancer diagnoses associated with unplanned readmission were upper gastrointestinal (25.4%), colorectal (19.6%), gynaecological (18.8%) and breast (13.8%) cancers. The symptoms most commonly associated with unplanned re-admission were pain (16%); infection not associated with neutropaenia (15.5%); fever and febrile neutropaenia (14.6%); nausea, vomiting and dehydration (13.6%); dyspnoea (8.3%) and altered neurological status (7.8%). The median length of stay (LOS) was 6 days. Length of stay during UPA was decreased for patients with a partner and for those who had a palliative care consult. The need for psychological supports was related to a longer LOS during UPA. Cancer patients are at a significant risk of requiring unscheduled care and admission. Strategies and services to limit the burden on patients and the health care system should be reviewed to minimise the incidence of unplanned admission.

Sequential chemoradiation in locally advanced head and neck cancer after induction chemotherapy: an induction chemotherapy schedule more suited to a limited resource setting.

BackgroundIn our experience, induction docetaxel, platinum, and fluorouracil (TPF) chemotherapy and sequential chemoradiation in locally advanced head and neck cancer lowers compliance owing to their considerable toxicity. Most of our head and neck cancer patients have locally advanced disease at presentation. Physicians frequently prefer paclitaxel–cisplatin induction chemotherapy instead, because of better patient tolerance.Materials and methodsA total of 207 locally advanced head and neck cancer patients receiving paclitaxel and cisplatin prior to chemoradiation from November 2010 to October 2013 were studied retrospectively.Parameters like febrile neutropaenia, treatment compliance, and response rates were compared to our institutional retrospective data with TPF chemotherapy. Response was assessed by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (Recist) version 1.1. Toxicity was assessed by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 4.0 during chemotherapy. Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) acute toxicity criteria were used for assessment during chemoradiation.ResultsFebrile neutropaenia with paclitaxel– cisplatin was significantly lower 3.4% (7/207) versus 44.5% (73/164) with TPF chemotherapy (two-tailed P value < 0.0001).A 95.7 % (198/207) paclitaxel–cisplatin patients completed chemoradiation versus 87% with TPF. The difference was significant (two-tailed P value = 0.0070).Response rate at treatment completion with paclitaxel –cisplatin was 89.7% versus 88% with TPF chemotherapy. No significant differences were observed (two-tailed P value = 0.7007).ConclusionInduction paclitaxel and cisplatin with sequential chemoradiation in locally advanced head and neck cancer is more suitable in a limited resource setting. Lower toxicity, better compliance, and comparable response are encouraging in our study cohort.

Capecitabine pattern of usage, rate of febrile neutropaenia and treatment related death in asian cancer patients in clinical practice.

Oral capecitabine is increasingly replacing intravenous 5-fluorouracil in many chemotherapy regimens. However, data on the risk of febrile neutropaenia (FN) and treatment related death (TRD) with the drug remain sparse outside of clinical trial settings despite its widespread usage. This study aimed to determine these rates in a large cohort of patients treated in the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC). We reviewed the clinical notes of all patients prescribed with oral capecitabine chemotherapy for any tumour sites in University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) from 1st January 2009 till 31st June 2010. Information collected included patient demographics, histopathological features, treatment received including the different chemotherapy regimens and intent of treatment whether the chemotherapy was given for neoadjuvant, concurrent with radiation, adjuvant or palliative intent. The aim of this study is to establish the pattern of usage, FN and TRD rates with capecitabine in clinical practice outside of clinical trial setting. FN is defined as an oral temperature >38.5°or two consecutive readings of >38.0° for 2 hours and an absolute neutrophil count <0.5 x 109/L, or expected to fall below 0.5 x 109/L (de Naurois et al., 2010). Treatment related death was defined as death occurring during or within 30 days of last chemotherapy treatment. Between 1st January 2009 and 30th June 2010, 274 patients were treated with capecitabine chemotherapy in UMMC. The mean age was 58 years (range 22 to 82 years). Capecitabine was used in 14 different tumour sites with the colorectal site predominating with a total of 128 cases (46.7%), followed by breast cancer (35.8%). Capecitabine was most commonly used in the palliative setting accounting for 63.9% of the cases, followed by the adjuvant setting (19.7%). The most common regimen was single agent capecitabine with 129 cases (47.1%). The other common regimens were XELOX (21.5%) and ECX (10.2%). The main result of this study showed an overall FN rate of 2.2% (6/274). The overall TRD rate was 5.1% (14/274). The FN rate for the single agent capecitabine regimen was 1.6% (2/129) and the TRD rate was 5.4% (7/129). All the TRDs were with single agent capecitabine regimen were used for palliative intent. Oral capecitabine is used widely in clinical practice in a myriad of tumour sites and bears a low risk of febrile neutropaenia. However, capecitabine like any other intravenous chemotherapeutic agent carries a significant risk of treatment related death.

Phase II trial of carboplatin, S-1, and gefitinib as first-line triplet chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients with activating epidermal growth factor receptor mutations

Gefitinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI), is an effective treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients with activating EGFR mutations. However, there have been little evidence-based studies of gefitinib in combination with platinum-doublet therapy in these patients. We performed a phase II trial to determine the efficacy and safety of triplet chemotherapy with gefitinib, carboplatin, and S-1 as a first-line treatment. This was a multicentre, single-arm, phase II trial of carboplatin, S-1, and gefitinib in advanced NSCLC patients with activating EGFR mutations. Patients received four courses of these drugs in 3-4 week cycles. In each cycle, carboplatin (area under curve = 5) was administered on day 1, S-1 (80 mg/m(2)) on days 1-14, and gefitinib (250 mg) every day. Subsequently, the same regimen without carboplatin was administered until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurred. The 1-year progression-free survival (PFS) was the primary endpoint, while response rate (RR), PFS, overall survival (OS), and safety were secondary endpoints. Thirty-five patients were enrolled into this study. The 1-year PFS was 74.3% and the overall RR was 85.7%. The median PFS for all patients was 17.6 months (95% confidence interval 15.5-∞), but the median OS was not reached, because 28 patients were still alive after a median follow-up time of 21.4 months. Haematological adverse events (grade 3 or higher) included neutropaenia (17.1%), thrombocytopenia (14.3%), and anaemia (5.7%), while non-haematological adverse events (grade 3 or higher) included elevated aminotransferase (20.0%), diarrhoea (14.3%), and febrile neutropaenia (2.9%). No interstitial lung disease or treatment-related deaths occurred. Combination chemotherapy with carboplatin, S-1, and gefitinib is efficacious and well tolerated as a first-line treatment in advanced NSCLC patients with activating EGFR mutations.

Risk of treatment related death and febrile neutropaenia with first line palliative chemotherapy for de novo metastatic breast cancer in clinical practice in a middle resource country.

The risk of febrile neutropaenia (FN) and treatment related death (TRD) with first line palliative chemotherapy for de novo metastatic breast cancer (MBC) remains unknown outside of a clinical trial setting despite its widespread usage. This study aimed to determine rates in a large cohort of patients treated in the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC). Patients who were treated with first line palliative chemotherapy for de novo MBC from 2002-2011 in UMMC were identified from the UMMC Breast Cancer Registry. Information collected included patient demographics, histopathological features, treatment received, including the different chemotherapy regimens, and presence of FN and TRD. FN was defined as an oral temperature >38.5° or two consecutive readings of >38.0° for 2 hours and an absolute neutrophil count <0.5x109/L, or expected to fall below 0.5x109/L (de Naurois et al, 2010). TRD was defined as death occurring during or within 30 days of the last chemotherapy treatment, as a consequence of the chemotherapy treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS version 18.0 software. Survival probabilities were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and differences in survival compared using log-rank test. Between 1st January 2002 and 31st December 2011, 424 patients with MBC were treated in UMMC. A total of 186 out of 221 patients with de novo MBC who received first line palliative chemotherapy were analyzed. The mean age of patients in this study was 49.5 years (range 24 to 74 years). Biologically, ER status was negative in 54.4% of patients and Her-2 status was positive in 31.1%. A 5-flourouracil, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide (FEC) chemotherapy regimen was chosen for 86.6% of the cases. Most patients had multiple metastatic sites (58.6%). The main result of this study showed a FN rate of 5.9% and TRD rate of 3.2%. The median survival (MS) for the entire cohort was 19 months. For those with multiple metastatic sites, liver only, lung only, bone only and brain only metastatic sites, the MS was 18, 24, 19, 24 and 8 months respectively (p-value= 0.319). In conclusion, we surmise that FEC is a safe regimen with acceptable FN and TRD rates for de novo MBC.

Febrile Neutropaenia and Chemotherapy Discontinuation in Women Aged 70 Years or Older Receiving Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Early Breast Cancer

AimsLow rates of adjuvant chemotherapy use are frequently reported in older women with early breast cancer. One of the reasons for this may be the risk of febrile neutropaenia or the perception that older patients will probably not complete the chemotherapy course prescribed. There are no data regarding these adverse outcomes in routine clinical practice. Patients and methodsWe identified 128 patients aged 70 years or over who received neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy for early breast cancer in seven UK cancer centres between 2006 and 2012. Data were collected regarding standard clinical and pathological variables and treatment toxicity and outcomes. ResultsTwenty-four patients (19%) had an episode of febrile neutropaenia. Overall, 27 patients (21%) did not complete their planned therapy. Chemotherapy discontinuation was more common in those patients with an episode of febrile neutropaenia (46% versus 16%, P = 0.004). Thirty patients (23%) were admitted with chemotherapy-related complications. There were no treatment-related deaths. ConclusionsThe rates of febrile neutropaenia and treatment discontinuation are high in women aged 70 years or over receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. Close attention should be paid to the choice or regimen and the use of supportive therapies in this patient population.

G311(P) Improving paediatric oncology supportive care in a resource-limited setting: focus on neutropaenic sepsis

BackgroundOur institution is the only tertiary paediatric oncology centre serving a low-income country with a population of over 35 million. Outcomes are limited by social factors, material resources and shortages...

Phase II study of oral S-1 plus cisplatin with bevacizumab for advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer

BackgroundWe conducted a phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of S-1 plus cisplatin with bevacizumab followed by maintenance bevacizumab in patients with advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients and methodsChemotherapy-naïve patients received S-1 plus cisplatin with bevacizumab. S-1 (80mg/m2) was administered orally twice daily for 14 days, cisplatin (60mg/m2) on day 1, and bevacizumab (15mg/kg) on day 1 and every 3 weeks for 4–6 cycles. Patients with an objective response or stable disease received maintenance bevacizumab every 3 weeks until disease progression. ResultsThirty patients were enrolled in this study. The median number of chemotherapy was four (range, 1–6 cycles), and the median number of bevacizumab alone was three (range, 1–31 cycles). The grade 3/4 toxicities were neutropaenia (23%), thrombocytopaenia (10%), febrile neutropaenia (3%), hypertension (17%), pneumonia (7%), and bowel perforation (3%). The objective response rate was 71% (95% CI, 55–88%) for a disease control rate of 100%. The median progression-free and overall survival times were 7.0 months and 20.0 months, respectively. ConclusionsS-1 plus cisplatin with bevacizumab is an active and well-tolerated regimen in patients with chemotherapy-naïve non-squamous NSCLC.

Transdermal Oestradiol in the Management of Castration-resistant and Corticosteroid-resistant Prostate Cancer — a Dose Escalation Study

s / Clinical Oncology 25 (2013) e67ee74 e72 [1]. Prophylactic use of granulopoiesis-stimulating factors, such as granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), is being increasingly used to prevent chemotherapy-induced neutropaenia [2e4]. To compare the rate of febrile neutropaenia before and after implementation of G-CSF prophylaxis in patients receiving chemotherapy for testicular cancer. To determine the impact of these events on unscheduled care. Materials andmethods: Over an 18month period, we prospectively audited the incidence of febrile neutropaenia before (n 1⁄4 12) and after (n 1⁄4 8) implementation of prophylactic pegylated G-CSF (6mg SC 24 h post-chemotherapy) in patients receiving comparable chemotherapy regimens. Identification of febrile neutropaenic episodes and resultant impact on treatment recorded. There were no significant differences in chemotherapy regimens or other supportive care apart from the use of G-CSF. Results: The rate of neutropaenic sepsis was significantly different between the pre-GCSF and post-GCSF group (42% versus 0%, P 1⁄4 0.05). In the pre-GCSF group, 4 patients developing febrile neutropaenia went on to have G-CSF with subsequent cycles. Those developing febrile neutropaenia in the preGCSF group had a cumulative 31 days of unscheduled inpatient stay. This included one patient admitted to intensive care. There were no unscheduled inpatient stays in the post-GCSF group. Conclusion: Use of prophylactic G-CSF following chemotherapy for testicular cancer significantly reduces the incidence of febrile neutropaenia and subsequent inpatient stays.

Rates of febrile neutropaenia in women aged 70 or over receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for early breast cancer

Rates of febrile neutropaenia in women aged 70 or over receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for early breast cancer

Risk of Treatment Related Death and Febrile Neutropaenia with Taxane-Based Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer in a Middle Income Country Outside a Clinical Trial Setting

The risk of treatment-related death (TRD) and febrile neutropaenia (FN) with adjuvant taxane- based chemotherapy for early breast cancer is unknown in Malaysia despite its widespread usage in recent years. This study aims to determine these rates in patients treated in University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC). Patients who were treated with adjuvant taxane-based chemotherapy for early breast cancer stages I, II or III from 2007-2011 in UMMC were identified from our UMMC Breast Cancer Registry. The TRD and FN rates were then determined retrospectively from medical records. TRD was defined as death occurring during or within 30 days of completing chemotherapy as a consequence of the chemotherapy treatment. FN was defined as an oral temperature >38.5°C or two consecutive readings of >38.0°C for 2 hours and an absolute neutrophil count <0.5x109/L, or expected to fall below 0.5x109/L. A total of 622 patients received adjuvant chemotherapy during this period. Of these patients 209 (33.6%) received taxane-based chemotherapy. 4 taxane-based regimens were used namely the FEC-D, TC, TAC and AC-PCX regimens. The commonest regimen employed was the FEC-D regimen accounting for 79.9% of the patients. The FN rate was 10% and there was no TRD. Adjuvant taxane-based chemotherapy in UMMC for early breast cancer has a FN rate of 10%. Primary prophylactic G-CSF should be considered for patients with any additional risk factor for FN.