Researchers from the University of Alabama have reported that the administration of Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim) on the first day of chemotherapy among women with gynecologic cancers may be as effective as and more convenient than second-day administration. These results were recently reported at the 2008 annual Society of Gynecologic Oncologists meeting.

Neulasta is usually administered at least 24 hours following initiation of chemotherapy. This approach requires patients to return to the medical office or hospital one day following chemotherapy for administration.

Researchers involved in the current study reviewed data to evaluate the use of Neulasta on the first day of chemotherapy among women with gynecologic cancers. This study included 230 women who had received Neulasta on the first day of their chemotherapy and 139 patients who received Neulasta on the second day of their chemotherapy. Approximately 66% of patients had ovarian cancer, and approximately 40% were being treated for recurrent cancer.

• Rates of severe neutropenia were not significantly different among the patients treated with Neulasta on the first day or second day of chemotherapy.
• Treatment dose reduction or delay was not significantly different between patients treated with Neulasta on the first day or second day of chemotherapy.

These researchers concluded that Neulasta administered among women with gynecologic cancers on the first day of chemotherapy appears just as effective as Neulasta administered on the second day of chemotherapy in terms of severe neutropenia or treatment modification. 

Comments: The administration of Neulasta on the first day of chemotherapy may provide added convenience to patients; however, the FDA has not yet approved this schedule.

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Reference: Whitworth J, et al. The safety and efficacy of day 1 versus day 2 administration of pegfilgrastim in patients receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy for gynecologic malignancies. Proceedings from the 2008 annual meeting of the Gynecologic Oncologists. Abstract #68.