Myeloid
growth factors help to prevent and cure neutropenic events in
malignant lymphoma patients treated by chemotherapeutical regimens. Administering either
filgrastim or
pegfilgrastim, treatment schedule can be kept well and less
dose reductions are needed, which results in better survival rates. The aim of this study was to examine the indications and the outcome of myeloid precursor
therapy among our
malignant lymphoma patients. Between 2003 and 2007, 249
malignant lymphoma patients received 1,655 cycles of different
polychemotherapies.
Myeloid growth factor therapy was administered in 138 cases by 65 patients, which meant 8.33% of all treatment cycles and 26.1% of all patients, respectively. As for the indications, prevention was more common than intervention (71.7% vs. 28.3%). By preventive usage of growths factors, two-thirds of threatening neutropenic events could be avoided. Side effects were uncommon and mild: grades I-II toxicity was observed in 31% of all treatments. Analyzing the risk factors for
febrile neutropenia among patients who received
myeloid growth factor therapy compared to those who did not, we found the incidence of comorbidities,
hypoalbuminemia, advanced stage disease, and aggressive
chemotherapies significantly different in the two groups. Interestingly, there was no significant difference regarding the median age and the incidence of low body surface area. Our observations support that myeloid precursor
therapy is an effective and safe implement to prevent or treat
neutropenia in high-risk
malignant lymphoma patients.