This Article Full Text (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a colleague Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Save to my personal folders Download to citation manager Rights & Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Burstein, H. J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Burstein, H. J. Related Articles Related Correspondence Social Bookmarking                            What's this?

In Reply:

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA

The vignettes from Dr Wolff et al describe unusual outcomes after the use of pegfilgrastim in support of adjuvant chemotherapy. In our prospective experience treating 135 patients with pegfilgrastim in support of dose-dense doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel,¹ we reported that ongoing use of dexamethasone premedication for paclitaxel contributed to increased absolute neutrophil counts during therapy, not associated with clinical sequelae. We also monitored recovery of neutrophils 8 weeks to 12 weeks after concluding chemotherapy, and as reported, saw neither problems with persistent neutropenia nor febrile neutropenia. Thus, we believe the incidence of events described in the letter is likely to be low, but acknowledged that the absolute rate is unknown, as are the clinical factors that predispose individuals to these complications. As use of pegfilgrastim is widespread, it remains important to continue to characterize short- and long-term myeloid toxicity.

Author’ Disclosures of Potential Conflicts of Interest

Although all authors completed the disclosure declaration, the following author or immediate family members indicated a financial interest. No conflict exists for drugs or devices used in a study if they are not being evaluated as part of the investigation. For a detailed description of the disclosure categories, or for more information about ASCO's conflict of interest policy, please refer to the Author Disclosure Declaration and the Disclosures of Potential Conflicts of Interest section in Information for Contributors.

Authors Employment Leadership Consultant Stock Honoraria Research Funds Testimony Other Harold J. Burstein Amgen (A)

Dollar Amount Codes (A) < $10,000 (B) $10,000-99,999 (C) $100,000 (N/R) Not Required

REFERENCE

1. Burstein HJ, Parker LM, Keshaviah A, et al: Efficacy of pegfilgrastim and darbepoetin alfa as hematopoietic support for dose-dense every-2-week adjuvant breast cancer chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol 23:8340-8347, 2005[Abstract/Free Full Text]

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Facebook    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

Related Correspondence

• Myeloid Toxicity in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Adjuvant Chemotherapy With Pegfilgrastim Support
  Antonio C. Wolff, Richard J. Jones, Nancy E. Davidson, Stacie C. Jeter, and Vered Stearns
  JCO 2006 24: 2392-2394 [Full Text]

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. Ferretti, M. Lopez, E. Terzoli, E. Cortesi, M. Antimi, P. Marolla, D. Giannarelli, F. Cognetti, and P. Papaldo Myeloid Toxicity in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Adjuvant Chemotherapy: What Is the Appropriate Use of Filgrastim? J. Clin. Oncol., December 10, 2006; 24(35): 5618 - 5619. [Full Text] [PDF]

This Article Full Text (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a colleague Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Save to my personal folders Download to citation manager Rights & Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Burstein, H. J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Burstein, H. J. Related Articles Related Correspondence Social Bookmarking                            What's this?