Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in lung cancer patients: the role of antibiotic prophylaxis.

Abstract

Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia can cause fatal bacterial infections. Colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) are usually recommended as prophylaxis, while routine use of prophylactic antibiotics remains controversial. Based on our literature search in PubMed, quinolones and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole were the most frequently used prophylaxis, while CSFs were administered in 22.1% of patients. Lung cancer patients who received prophylactic antibiotics exhibited significantly fewer episodes of febrile neutropenia, fewer documented infections as well as shorter duration of related hospitalisations. Prophylactic use of wide spectrum antibiotics seems effective and should be considered as an alternative strategy in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in lung cancer patients.

• Authors: Vasileios Kouranos, George Dimopoulos, Antonios Vassias, Kostas N Syrigos
• Journal: Cancer letters (Cancer Lett) Vol. 313 Issue 1 Pg. 9-14 (Dec 26 2011) ISSN: 1872-7980 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 21955615 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Colony-Stimulating Factors
• Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

Topics

• Antibiotic Prophylaxis (methods)
• Antineoplastic Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Colony-Stimulating Factors (therapeutic use)
• Fever (chemically induced, prevention & control)
• Humans
• Lung Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Neutropenia (chemically induced, prevention & control)
• Treatment Outcome
• Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination (therapeutic use)