Novel biomarkers to identify complicated course of febrile neutropenia in hematological patients receiving intensive chemotherapy.

Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a common consequence of intensive chemotherapy in hematological patients. More than 90% of the patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) develop FN, and 5%-10% of them die from subsequent sepsis. FN is very common also in autologous stem cell transplant recipients, but the risk of death is lower than in AML patients. In this review, we discuss biomarkers that have been evaluated for diagnostic and prognostic purposes in hematological patients with FN. In general, novel biomarkers have provided little benefit over traditional inflammatory biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein and procalcitonin. The utility of most biomarkers in hematological patients with FN has been evaluated in only a few small studies. Although some of them appear promising, much more data is needed before they can be implemented in the clinical evaluation of FN patients. Currently, close patient follow-up is key to detect complicated course of FN and the need for further interventions such as intensive care unit admission. Scoring systems such as q-SOFA (Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment) or NEWS (National Early Warning Sign) combined with traditional and/or novel biomarkers may provide added value in the clinical evaluation of FN patients.

On-body injector pegfilgrastim for chemotherapy-induced neutropenia prophylaxis: Current Status.

INTRODUCTION: Myelosuppression, a challenge in cancer treatment, often results in severe complications. Prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factors, particularly pegfilgrastim, mitigate chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. This narrative review evaluates the role of on-body injector (OBI) devices for pegfilgrastim administration. A comprehensive search strategy of PubMed and AI-powered intuitive search tools, complemented by authors' contributions, yielded a body of papers presenting evidence on OBI devices, their effectiveness and safety, the benefits and challenges of OBI versus pre-filled syringe administration, patient preferences for pegfilgrastim administration, and economic considerations. DISCUSSION: OBI devices prove effective and safe, with advantages such as reduced clinic visits and enhanced adherence. Studies highlight cost-efficiency and expanded access, emphasizing the socioeconomic context. Patient and provider preferences underscore the potential of OBI devices in cancer care, with implications for healthcare resource utilization and pharmacoeconomics. CONCLUSION: The value proposition of OBI devices lies in improving patient outcomes, convenience, resource optimization, and enhancing the overall cancer care experience. As biosimilar OBIs enter the market, they may offer cost savings, further influencing their adoption and their positioning as a cost-efficient alternative in cancer care. Ongoing research and technological advancements are expected to contribute to the broader acceptance of OBI devices in cancer care delivery.

Evaluation of glycopeptide prescription in high-risk febrile neutropenia: A monocentric study of North Africa.

INTRODUCTION: High-risk febrile neutropenia (FN) is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in onco-hematology. The initiation of empirical antibiotic therapy is an emergency that can change the prognosis of some patients. Given the emergence of increasingly resistant Gram-positive bacteremia, glycopeptides, as an empirical treatment, have an important place in the management of high-risk FN. The aim of this study is to evaluate the appropriateness of glycopeptide prescription in high-risk FN patients. METHODS: This study was conducted in the Hematology Department of Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital of Monastir, Tunisia. Patients with high-risk FN were enrolled during the period between January 1 and December 31, 2020. RESULTS: Of the 29 patients included in this study, 88 FN episodes were noted of which 39 episodes treated with glycopeptides were evaluated. Twenty-four febrile episodes were empirically treated with glycopeptides (27.3%) of which 17 prescriptions (70.8%) were appropriate according to the European Conference on Infection in Leukemia and the Infectious Diseases Society of America recommendations. A therapeutic escalation using glycopeptides was noted in 17% of cases and appropriately opted in 6 FN episodes (40%). CONCLUSION: Prescriptions of glycopeptides were appropriate according to the international recommendations in 71% of the empirical prescriptions and in 40% of the therapeutic escalation using glycopeptides. In high-risk FN episodes, glycopeptides prescriptions should be rationalized and limited to the indications detailed in the international guidelines to control the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Consensus document on the management of febrile neutropenia in paediatric haematology and oncology patients of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases (SEIP) and the Spanish Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (SEHOP).

Febrile neutropenia is one of the main infectious complications experienced by paediatric patients with blood or solid tumours, which, despite the advances in diagnosis and treatment, are still associated with a significant morbidity and mortality. These patients have several risk factors for infection, chief of which are chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, the disruption of cutaneous and mucosal barriers and the use of intravascular devices. Early diagnosis and treatment of febrile neutropenia episodes based on the patient's characteristics is essential in patients with blood and solid tumours to improve their outcomes. Therefore, it is important to develop protocols in order to optimise and standardise its management. In addition, the rational use of antibiotics, with careful adjustment of the duration of treatment and antimicrobial spectrum, is crucial to address the increase in antimicrobial drug resistance. The aim of this document, developed jointly by the Spanish Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and the Spanish Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, is to provide consensus recommendations for the management of febrile neutropenia in paediatric oncology and haematology patients, including the initial evaluation, the stepwise approach to its treatment, supportive care and invasive fungal infection, which each facility then needs to adapt to the characteristics of its patients and local epidemiological trends.

Documento de consenso de manejo de neutropenia febril en el paciente pediátrico oncohematológico de la Sociedad Española de Infectología Pediátrica (SEIP) y la Sociedad Española de Hematología y Oncología Pediátrica (SEHOP) / Consensus document on the management of febrile neutropenia in paediatric haematology and oncology patients of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases (SEIP) and the Spanish Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (SEHOP)

La neutropenia febril es una de las principales complicaciones infecciosas que sufren los pacientes pediátricos oncohematológicos, y a pesar los avances en diagnóstico y tratamiento, siguen condicionando una mortalidad y morbilidad significativa. Estos pacientes agrupan una serie de factores de riesgo de infección, donde destaca la neutropenia asociada a quimioterapia, la disrupción de barreras cutáneo-mucosas y el uso de dispositivos intravasculares. El abordaje diagnóstico y terapéutico precoz de los episodios de neutropenia febril en los pacientes oncohematológicos, ajustado a las características individuales de cada paciente, es fundamental para mejorar su pronóstico. Por ello, diseñar protocolos de abordaje, que sistematicen su atención, permite optimizar y homogeneizar su abordaje. Además, racionalizar el uso de los antimicrobianos, ajustando la duración y el espectro de los mismos, es crucial para hacer frente al incremento de resistencias a antimicrobianos. El objetivo de este documento, elaborado entre la Sociedad Española de Infectología Pediátrica y la Sociedad Española de Hematología y Oncología Pediátrica, es dar recomendaciones de consenso sobre el manejo de la neutropenia febril en el paciente oncohematológico, respecto al abordaje inicial, terapia secuencial y de soporte e infección fúngica invasiva, que cada centro debe adaptar a las características de sus pacientes y epidemiología local. (AU)

Febrile neutropenia is one of the main infectious complications experienced by paediatric patients with blood or solid tumours, which, despite the advances in diagnosis and treatment, are still associated with a significant morbidity and mortality. These patients have several risk factors for infection, chief of which are chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, the disruption of cutaneous and mucosal barriers and the use of intravascular devices. Early diagnosis and treatment of febrile neutropenia episodes based on the patient's characteristics is essential in patients with blood and solid tumours to improve their outcomes. Therefore, it is important to develop protocols in order to optimise and standardise its management. In addition, the rational use of antibiotics, with careful adjustment of the duration of treatment and antimicrobial spectrum, is crucial to address the increase in antimicrobial drug resistance. The aim of this document, developed jointly by the Spanish Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and the Spanish Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, is to provide consensus recommendations for the management of febrile neutropenia in paediatric oncology and haematology patients, including the initial evaluation, the stepwise approach to its treatment, supportive care and invasive fungal infection, which each facility then needs to adapt to the characteristics of its patients and local epidemiological trends. (AU)

Health professionals' preferences with the use of pegfilgrastim on-body injector at oncology centers in 8 cities in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Febrile neutropenia associated with some chemotherapy regimens can lead to potentially fatal complications and high health care costs. Administration of pegfilgrastim using an On-Body Injector (OBI) may be more convenient for cancer patients and physicians in countries with limited access to high-complexity healthcare. This study aims to describe physician and nurse preferences regarding different options for administration of pegfilgrastim at cancer centers, the chemotherapy schemes for which pegfilgrastim is most frequently prescribed and how healthcare providers prioritize certain administration schemes according to patients' access to healthcare services. METHODS: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study and survey, conducted between 2019 and 2020, to describe physician and nurse preferences regarding options for administration of pegfilgrastim at cancer centers, the demographics of the study population and characteristics of participating cancer centers. It included 60 healthcare professionals practicing at oncology centers from 8 cities in Colombia who were contacted and surveyed via telephone. Quantitative continuous variables were summarized using central tendency and dispersion measures. RESULTS: It was found that 35% of participants are haemato-oncologists, oncologists or hematologists, 30% are general practitioners, and 35% are other healthcare professionals (i.e., nurse, oncology nurse and head nurse). Our study shows that 48% of physicians prefer the use of OBI, particularly in the scheme of 24 h after myelosuppressive chemotherapy administrations. Regardless of patient frailty and travel time to the clinic, over 90% of healthcare providers (HCPs) prefer to prioritize preventing the patient from having to return to the clinic for pegfilgrastim administration as well as to increase healthcare staff availability through the use of OBI. CONCLUSIONS: The present study is the first one in Colombia that sought the reasons behind HCPs' choice to use OBI pegfilgrastim. Our results indicate that most professionals prefer to avoid the patient having to re-enter the care center for pegfilgrastim administration to facilitate access to healthcare for patients; patient characteristics and ease of transport are determining factors for respondents when choosing an option for drug administration. We found OBI is the preferred alternative by most HCPs and a good resource optimization strategy in the context of cancer patients' health care in Colombia.

Validation of National Early Warning Score and Quick Sequential (sepsis-related) Organ Failure Assessment in acute myeloid leukaemia patients treated with intensive chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVES: Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a risk factor for life-threatening infections. Early diagnosis and prompt interventions are associated with better outcomes, but the prediction of infection severity remains an open question. Recently, National Early Warning Score (NEWS) and quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) scores were proposed as warning clinical instruments predicting in-hospital mortality, but their role in the haematological context is still unknown. METHODS: We retrospectively assess the predictive role of NEWS and qSOFA in a large and homogeneous cohort of adult AML patients treated with intensive chemotherapy. In a total of 1048 neutropenic episodes recorded in 334 consecutive patients, the scores were applied to predict outcomes on the same day of fever onset, and after 24 and 48 h from score calculation. RESULTS: Both NEWS and qSOFA significantly predicted death, with more accuracy on the same day (NEWS AUROC 0.984 and qSOFA AUROC 0.969) and after 24 h (NEWS AUROC 0.928 and qSOFA AUROC 0.887), while remained moderately accurate after 48 h. Furthermore, also ICU admission was accurately predicted at fever onset and after 24 h. CONCLUSIONS: Both scores were useful tools in the management of post chemotherapy neutropenic febrile AML patients.

Management of chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia and use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in patients with soft tissue or bone sarcoma.

INTRODUCTION: Febrile neutropenia, an oncological complication related to myelosuppressive chemotherapy, can lead to unplanned hospitalization, morbidity, mortality, and changes in the oncological therapeutic plan. The present study aimed (1) to determine the prevalence of chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia requiring hospitalization and the use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and (2) to evaluate its consequences for the oncological treatment of patients with soft tissue or bone sarcomas. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional and retrospective study (January 2018 to December 2019) carried out in a reference oncology hospital in the Brazilian public health system. Inpatients diagnosed with chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia, older than the age of 18 years, and treated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor were included in the study. RESULTS: Twenty-nine chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia events were identified, involving 25 patients. Among the febrile neutropenia events, 90% were grade 4, and 59% occurred during palliative chemotherapy. Among patients with febrile neutropenia, 31% had arterial hypertension or/and diabetes mellitus comorbidities, 34% had infectious skin sites, such as compression ulcers and tumor wounds, and 31% had infections with defined etiologic agents. Treatment of hospitalized patients was performed with cefepime in combinations or alone (97%) and filgrastim. The outcomes related to chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia were chemotherapy dose reduction (31%), chemotherapy cycle delays (21%), chemotherapy treatment suspension (17%), deaths (7%), and other associated complications (10%). Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor prophylaxis was prescribed in 72.41% of febrile neutropenia events. The frequency of febrile neutropenia concerning total chemotherapy cycles was 2.15%. CONCLUSION: Even with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor prophylaxis, an overall prevalence of 2.15% of febrile neutropenia associated with hospitalization was observed, causing negative outcomes in chemotherapy treatment of patients.

Uso do dispositivo Pegfilgrastim OBI para prevenção de neutropenia: revisão de escopo / Uso del dispositivo Pegfilgrastim OBI para prevenir la neutropenia: revisión de alcance / Pegfilgrastim OBI device use for neutropenia prevention: a scoping review

Resumo Objetivo Mapear os cuidados em saúde do dispositivo Pegfilgrastim on-body injector na prevenção de neutropenia em adultos com câncer em assistência domiciliar após quimioterapia ambulatorial. Métodos Revisão de escopo baseada na metodologia do Joanna Briggs Institute . Foram incluídos somente estudos com adultos com câncer submetidos à quimioterapia ambulatorial. A busca foi realizada nas bases de dados Cochrane, CINAHL, EMBASE, LILACS , PubMed, Scopus, LIVIVO e Web of Science, além da literatura cinzenta ProQuest, Scielo, Banco de Dados em Enfermagem, Google Scholar, Open Grey, bula do medicamento e websites . Foram esgotadas as buscas nas referências dos estudos elegidos. Todos os estudos identificados foram exportados para o gerenciador de referências EndNote para organização e remoção das duplicadas. Utilizou-se o aplicativo web Rayyan para seleção das evidências. Os estudos foram selecionados por pares e de forma independente, sendo os conflitos solucionados por um terceiro pesquisador. Resultados Foram incluídos 10 artigos cujos resultados foram subdivididos nas categorias: adesão do paciente, opinião da equipe de saúde, carga de trabalho do paciente em tratamento do câncer e uso do dispositivo na prática clínica. O dispositivo apresenta poucas falhas e foi aceito pelas equipes de saúde e pacientes na maioria dos estudos. Conclusão Os principais cuidados em saúde para o uso do dispositivo Pegfilgrastim on-body injector estão relacionados à técnica de preparo da pele onde o dispositivo será aplicado, o preparo e a administração do dispositivo. Além disso, salienta-se a importância da avaliação do conhecimento do paciente e seu familiar sobre o dispositivo, o fornecimento de todas as orientações necessárias, verbalmente e por escrito, de forma clara e objetiva, e a validação dessas informações, certificando-se que o paciente compreendeu todas elas e está seguro.

Resumen Objetivo Mapear los cuidados de la salud al utilizar el dispositivo Pegfilgrastim on-body injector para prevenir la neutropenia en adultos con cáncer en atención domiciliaria después de quimioterapia ambulatoria. Métodos Revisión de alcance basada en la metodología del Joanna Briggs Institute . Se incluyeron solamente estudios con adultos con cáncer sometidos a quimioterapia ambulatoria. La búsqueda se realizó en las bases de datos Cochrane, CINAHL, EMBASE, LILACS , PubMed, Scopus, LIVIVO y Web of Science, además de la literatura gris ProQuest, Scielo, Banco de Datos de Enfermería, Google Scholar, Open Grey, prospecto del medicamento y sitios web. Se concluyeron las búsquedas en las referencias de los estudios seleccionados. Todos los estudios identificados se exportaron al programa de gestión de referencias EndNote para organizarlas y remover las duplicadas. Se utilizó la aplicación web Rayyan para seleccionar las evidencias. Se seleccionaron los estudios por pares y de forma independiente, y los conflictos se solucionaron mediante un tercer investigador. Resultados Se incluyeron diez artículos cuyos resultados fueron subdivididos en las siguientes categorías: adhesión del paciente, opinión del equipo de salud, carga de trabajo del paciente en tratamiento de cáncer y uso del dispositivo en la práctica clínica. El dispositivo presenta pocas fallas y fue aceptado por los equipos de salud y por los pacientes en la mayoría de los estudios. Conclusión Los principales cuidados de la salud para el uso del dispositivo Pegfilgrastim on-body injector se relacionan con la técnica de preparación de la piel donde se aplicará el dispositivo, la preparación y la administración del dispositivo. Además, se destaca la importancia de la evaluación de conocimientos del paciente y su familiar sobre el dispositivo, la entrega de todas las instrucciones necesarias, verbalmente y por escrito, de forma clara y objetiva, la validación de la información y la verificación de que el paciente haya comprendido todo y esté seguro.

Abstract Objective To map the health care of Pegfilgrastim On-body Injector in neutropenia prevention in adults with cancer in home care after outpatient chemotherapy. Methods This is a scoping review based on the JBI methodology. Only studies with adults with cancer undergoing outpatient chemotherapy were included. The search was carried out in the Cochrane, CINAHL, EMBASE, LILACS, PubMed, Scopus, LIVIVO and Web of Science databases, in addition to gray literature ProQuest, SciELO, Database in Nursing, Google Scholar, Open Grey, drug leaflet and websites. The searches in the references of selected studies were exhausted. All identified studies were exported to the EndNote reference manager for organization and removal of duplicates. The Rayyan web application was used for evidence selection. The studies were selected by pairs independently, with conflicts resolved by a third researcher. Results A total of 10 articles were included, whose results were subdivided into categories: patient compliance, health team opinion, patient workload in cancer treatment and device use in clinical practice. The device has few flaws and was accepted by health care teams and patients in most studies. Conclusion The main health care for Pegfilgrastim On-body Injector use is related to the skin preparation technique where the device will be applied, in addition to device preparation and administration. Moreover, the importance of assessing the knowledge of patients and their family about the device is highlighted, providing all the necessary guidelines, verbally and in writing, clearly and objectively, and validating this information, making sure that patients have understood all of them and are safe.

Pharmacokinetics of Vancomycin among Patients with Chemotherapy-Associated Febrile Neutropenia: Which Would Be the Best Dosing to Obtain Appropriate Exposure?

Previous research has determined that the required doses for treating febrile neutropenia with vancomycin are higher than the doses used conventionally. These recommendations have been made considering pharmacotherapeutic goals based on minimum concentration (Cmin) between 15-20 mg/L. This study was developed to evaluate dose recommendations based on the achievement of a target consisting of ratio of area under the curve over minimum inhibitory concentration (AUC24h/MIC) ≥400 in this population of individuals. This study was conducted in a referral hospital for cancer treatment, study participants received vancomycin doses of 1g every 12 h in 2-4-h infusions. Vancomycin was described by a two-compartment pharmacokinetic model with clearance dependent on the estimated glomerular filtration rate. Simulations were performed taking into account a reduced version of the model to establish the influence of controllable and non-controllable variables on the probability of achieving several PK-PD targets. A dose of 2.5g/day in patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between 80 and 122mL/min/1.73m2 was adequate to achieve the pharmacotherapeutic target. A discrepancy was found between AUC-based and Cmin-based PK/PD indices, the former being affected by the dose and creatinine clearance while the latter highly influenced by the interval between doses.

Validation of the CSRFENCE score for prediction of febrile neutropenia during chemotherapy cycles 2-6.

PURPOSE: Though febrile neutropenia (FN) risk prediction models are important in clinical practice, their external validation is limited. In this study, we validated the Cycle-Specific Risk of FEbrile Neutropenia after ChEmotherapy (CSRFENCE) score for predicting FN. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of patients with solid malignancies and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma during chemotherapy cycles 2-6 and recorded if patients developed FN, defined as absolute neutrophil counts less than 500 cells/microL with fever more than or equal to 38.2 â„ƒ. The CSRFENCE score was determined by adding the risk factors' coefficients described by the original study; subsequently, the score was used to classify chemotherapy cycles into the following risk groups for developing FN: low, intermediate, high, and very high risk. The discriminatory ability of the score was assessed using area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROCC) and incidence rate ratios (IRR) within each CSRFENCE risk group. RESULTS: We analyzed 2870 chemotherapy cycles, of which 42 (1.5%) were associated with FN. Among those, 3 (7.1%), 14 (33.3%), 5 (12%), and 20 (47.6%) were classified as low, intermediate, high, and very high risk for developing FN, respectively. The AUROCC was 0.72 (95% CI 0.64-0.81). Compared with the low risk group (n = 666), the IRR of developing FN was 1.01 (95% CI 0.15-43.37), 0.69 (95% CI 0.08-32.46) and 1.17 (95% CI 0.17-49.49) in the intermediate (n = 1431), high (n = 498) and very high (n = 275) risk groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: The CSRFENCE model can moderately stratify patients into four risk groups for predicting FN prior to chemotherapy cycles 2-6.

Real-world evaluation of supportive care using an electronic health record text-mining tool: G-CSF use in breast cancer patients.

PURPOSE: Chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia (FN) is a life-threatening and chemotherapy dose-limiting adverse event. FN can be prevented with granulocyte-colony stimulating factors (G-CSFs). Guidelines recommend primary G-CSF use for patients receiving either high (> 20%) FN risk (HR) chemotherapy, or intermediate (10-20%) FN risk (IR) chemotherapy if the overall risk with additional patient-related risk factors exceeds 20%. In this study, we applied an EHR text-mining tool for real-world G-CSF treatment evaluation in breast cancer patients. METHODS: Breast cancer patients receiving IR or HR chemotherapy treatments between January 2015 and February 2021 at LUMC, the Netherlands, were included. We retrospectively collected data from EHR with a text-mining tool and assessed G-CSF use, risk factors, and the FN and neutropenia (grades 3-4) and incidence. RESULTS: A total of 190 female patients were included, who received 77 HR and 113 IR treatments. In 88.3% of the HR regimens, G-CSF was administered; 7.3% of these patients developed FN vs. 33.3% without G-CSF. Although most IR regimen patients had ≥ 2 risk factors, only 4% received G-CSF, of which none developed neutropenia. However, without G-CSF, 11.9% developed FN and 31.2% severe neutropenia. CONCLUSIONS: Our text-mining study shows high G-CSF use among HR regimen patients, and low use among IR regimen patients, although most had ≥ 2 risk factors. Therefore, current practice is not completely in accordance with the guidelines. This shows the need for increased awareness and clarity regarding risk factors. Also, text-mining can effectively be implemented for the evaluation of patient care.

Management of Treatment-Related Infectious Complications in High-Risk Hemato-Oncological Patients via Telemedicine.

Background: Infectious complications, especially febrile neutropenia, in hemato-oncological patients are associated with considerable morbidity, mortality and expenses. Remote monitoring of physiological functions and thus early detection of adverse events via telemedicine could improve the safety of these high-risk patients and save financial resources by shortening the time-to-antibiotics. Methods: Patients undergoing active cancer treatment in high risk of acquiring severe infection are selected and enrolled in this project. Each patient receives a digital blood pressure monitor, an infrared thermometer and a mobile hub (cell phone). In the comfort of their homes, patients measure their blood pressure/pulse and body temperature regularly or whenever they feel unwell. The obtained data are encrypted and forwarded via the mobile hub to the password-protected portal. The values registered outside the set-up range trigger the alarms, which are immediately sent to the designated physician who can check the portal in real-time from any device with an Internet connection, contact the patient, if need be, and initiate the anti-infective therapy almost instantly after the first symptoms occur. Results: Fifty hemato-oncological patients were recruited between March 1, 2018 and August 1, 2020. Two hundred ninety-seven alarms of body temperature were registered and checked by the physician and patients were contacted in 18.5% of the cases (55/297). Among these 55 events, 13 required medical assistance, which makes it approximately one-quarter of all conducted telephone interventions (23.4%) and neither septic shock nor death due to treatment-related toxicity occurred. Conclusion: Telemedicine seems like a useful tool to improve the safety of high risk hemato-oncological patients when treatment-related infectious complications are concerned.

Oxaliplatin- versus cisplatin-based regimens for elderly individuals with advanced gastric cancer: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Whether an oxaliplatin- or cisplatin-based regimen is more optimal for treating elderly patients with advanced gastric cancer, in terms of survival and adverse events remains unclear. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we used stacked claim data of residents in two Japanese prefectures collected between 2012 and 2017 and between 2014 and 2019, respectively. We included patients with advanced gastric cancer who received oxaliplatin-based and cisplatin-based regimens. Propensity score overlap weighting analysis was conducted to compare overall survival and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor use during chemotherapy between the oxaliplatin- and cisplatin-based treatment groups. RESULTS: A total of 242 patients were included in the study. After propensity score weighting, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed no significant differences in overall survival between the two groups (hazard ratio: 1.13; 95% confidence interval, 0.60-2.11; p =  0.70). However, the proportion of patients receiving granulocyte colony-stimulating factor was significantly lower in the oxaliplatin group than in the cisplatin group (2.3% vs.22.7%, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Survival did not differ significantly between elderly patients with advanced gastric cancer treated with oxaliplatin-based versus cisplatin-based regimens; however, the oxaliplatin-based regimen was associated with less granulocyte colony-stimulating factor use.

Cuidados no uso do dispositivo Pegfilgrastim On-body injector na profilaxia de neutropenia induzida por quimioterapia: revisão de escopo / Cautions in the use of the Pegfilgrastim On-body injector device in the prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia: a scoping review

Introdução: A neutropenia febril induzida por quimioterapia é um fator de risco predisponente para infecção grave e aumenta a mortalidade do paciente com câncer. O uso de G-CSF é recomendado quando o risco de desenvolver neutropenia febril, decorrente do protocolo quimioterápico, é maior ou igual a 20%. Foi recentemente aprovado pela ANVISA uma nova apresentação de G-CSF, o Pegfilgrastim OBI. Dispositivo que conta com um sistema de aplicação automático que é ativado 27 horas após o término da quimioterapia. Objetivo: Mapear os cuidados em saúde para o uso do dispositivo "Pegfilgrastim OBI", na prevenção de neutropenia em pacientes adultos com câncer em assistência domiciliar após quimioterapia ambulatorial. Métodos: A revisão de escopo foi conduzida de acordo com a metodologia da Joanna Briggs Institute. A questão norteadora foi formulada a partir da estratégia PCC. Foram incluídos estudos com pacientes adultos com câncer submetidos à quimioterapia ambulatorial e excluídos estudos com pacientes internados. O protocolo da revisão de escopo foi registrado na organização Open Science Framework. A estratégia de busca foi desenvolvida a partir de descritores controlados e não controlados e foi realizada em 03 de junho de 2022 nas seguintes bases de dados: CENTRAL, CINAHL, EMBASE, LILACS, PubMed, Scopus, LIVIVO e Web of Science. A busca também foi realizada na literatura cinzenta, incluindo Google Scholar, Open Grey, bula do medicamento e websites. Todos os estudos identificados nas bases de dados foram exportados para o gerenciador de referências bibliográficas (EndNote Desktop) para remoção das duplicadas e importados para o aplicativo web Rayyan para realização da seleção das fontes de evidências por pares e às cegas. Resultados: A busca nas bases de dados resultou em 301 artigos que após o processo de seleção resultaram em 11 artigos incluídos. Os resultados foram subdivididos em 4 categorias: adesão do paciente, opinião da equipe de saúde, carga de trabalho do paciente em tratamento oncológico e o uso do dispositivo na prática clínica. O dispositivo apresenta poucas falhas e é aceito pela equipe de saúde e pacientes na maioria dos estudos. O principal benefício do uso do Pegfilgrastim OBI foi o paciente não precisar retornar na clínica no dia seguinte. Já a segunda parte dos resultados foi proveniente das buscas em sites, bulas e manuais e os dados foram exibidos por meio de dois mapas conceituais detalhados. O primeiro mapa conceitual resumiu as informações ao paciente em uso de PegFilgrastim OBI, descrevendo sobre o que é o dispositivo, como é colocado na clínica, os cuidados que o paciente precisa ter em casa e como é realizado a retirada e descarte após aplicação. Já o segundo mapa conceitual resumiu os cuidados que a equipe de enfermagem precisa ter na aplicação e contém informações de como avaliar o local de aplicação, como preparar o dispositivo, etapas da aplicação e o monitoramento do paciente em casa. Conclusão: Compreender os cuidados em saúde no uso do dispositivo Pegfilgrastim OBI otimiza o trabalho da equipe de saúde, favorece melhorias na prática clínica e inclui o paciente com câncer no centro do cuidado

Introduction: Chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia is a predisposing risk factor for severe incidence and increased cancer patient mortality. The use of G-CSF is recommended when the risk of developing febrile neutropenia, resulting from the chemotherapy protocol, is greater than or equal to 20%. A new presentation of G-CSF, Pegfilgrastim OBI, was recently approved by ANVISA. Device that has an automatic application system that is activated 27 hours after the end of chemotherapy. Objective: Mapping health care for the use of the "Pegfilgrastim OBI" device in the prevention of neutropenia in adult cancer patients receiving home care after outpatient chemotherapy. Methods: The scoping review was conducted according to the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. The guiding question was formulated from the PCC strategy. Studies with adult cancer patients undergoing outpatient chemotherapy were included and studies with inpatients were excluded. The scope review protocol was registered with the Open Science Framework organization. The search strategy was developed from controlled and uncontrolled descriptors and was performed on June 3, 2022 in the following databases: CENTRAL, CINAHL, EMBASE, LILACS, PubMed, Scopus, LIVIVO and Web of Science. The search was also performed in the gray literature, including Google Scholar, Open Grey, drug leaflet and websites. All studies identified in the databases were exported to the bibliographic reference manager (EndNote Desktop) to remove duplicates and imported into the Rayyan web application to carry out the selection of evidence sources by peers and blindly. Results: The search in the databases resulted in 301 articles which, after the selection process, resulted in 11 articles included. The results were subdivided into 4 categories: patient adherence, opinion of the health team, workload of the patient undergoing cancer treatment and the use of the device in clinical practice. The device has few flaws and is accepted by the healthcare team and patients in most studies. The main benefit of using Pegfilgrastim OBI was that the patient did not have to return to the clinic the next day. The second part of the results came from searches on websites, package inserts and manuals and the data were displayed through two detailed concept maps. The first concept map summarized the information for the patient using PegFilgrastim OBI, describing what the device is about, how it is placed in the clinic, the care that the patient needs to have at home and how the removal and disposal is performed after application. The second conceptual map summarized the care that the nursing team needs to take in the application and contains information on how to assess the application site, how to prepare the device, application steps and patient monitoring at home. Conclusion: Understanding health care in the use of the Pegfilgrastim OBI device optimizes the work of the health team, favors improvements in clinical practice and includes the cancer patient at the center of care

Student nurses' knowledge about the management of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia: Multi-national survey.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia is a serious global health concern. It is essential that student nurses who are the future of healthcare are equipped with the right knowledge to care for the unique needs of patients with neutropenia. OBJECTIVE: The study assesses student nurses' knowledge of neutropenia management and examines the difference in their knowledge with regard to their demographics. DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used. SETTINGS: Participants for this survey were recruited from four nursing schools from three countries: Jordan, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. PARTICIPANTS: The study sample comprised 230 student nurses representing all three countries. METHODS: Online data collection was implemented. A message including the link to the study questionnaire was sent to students through their university portal. Demographic data and the neutropenia knowledge questionnaire were collected. RESULTS: The student nurses showed poor knowledge of neutropenia and its management (mean = 10.1 out of 30). The bridging students (M = 12.6, SD = 9.8) had significantly higher mean total knowledge scores than the regular students (M = 9.8, SD = 5.5) (t = 2.9, df = 38.9, p = 0.006). However, students who had received previous education about neutropenia management (M = 11.6, SD = 5.0) had significantly higher mean knowledge scores than those who had not (M = 9.5, SD = 5.6) (t = -2.73, df = 134.8, p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: The study findings underscore the overarching necessity to improve students' knowledge of neutropenia and its management. However, addressing this concern is multifaceted and requires deliberate effort from various agencies. Developing innovative strategies to increase the coverage of oncology nursing in the curriculum, improving faculty expertise, enhancing staff nurses' knowledge and skills, provision of funding, and adoption of oncology-related competencies in the nursing program need to be explored as key solutions.

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Cefepime in Adults with Hematological Malignancies and Febrile Neutropenia after Chemotherapy.

Patients with chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia (CIFN) may have changes in the pharmacokinetics (PK) compared to patients without malignancies or neutropenia. Those changes in antibiotic PK could lead to negative outcomes for patients if the therapy is not adequately adjusted to this. In this, open-label, non-randomized, prospective, observational, and descriptive study, a PK model of cefepime was developed for patients with hematological neoplasms and post-chemotherapy febrile neutropenia. This study was conducted at a cancer referral center, and study participants were receiving 2 g IV doses of cefepime every 8 h as 30-min infusions. Cefepime PK was well described by a two compartment model with a clearance dependent on a serum creatinine level. Using Monte Carlo simulations, it was shown that continuous infusions of 6g q24h could have a good achievement of PK/PD targets for MIC levels below the resistance cut-off point of Enterobacteriaceae. According to the simulations, it is unnecessary to increase the daily dose of cefepime (above 6 g daily) to increase the probability of target attainment (PTA). Cumulative fraction of response (CFR) using interment dosing was suboptimal for empirical therapy regimens against K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa, and continuous infusions could be used in this setting to maximize exposure. Patients with high serum creatinine levels were more likely to achieve predefined PK/PD targets than patients with low levels.

Assessment of Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factors Use at a community-based teaching hospital and compliance with National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines.

OBJECTIVES: Approximately 60,000 patients are hospitalised annually due to chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia (FN) in the United States alone. Febrile neutropenia is primarily managed by antibiotics and granulocyte-colony-stimulating factors (G-CSFs). However, there are inconsistent recommendations regarding dose, frequency, and duration for G-CSF therapy. We conducted this study to assess the use of G-CSFs in a community-based teaching hospital in compliance with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of adult patients diagnosed with non-myeloid malignancies who received filgrastim in a community-based teaching hospital from November 2014 to April 2015. RESULTS: Of 90 patients, 77% received filgrastim for FN treatment, 19% for primary prophylaxis, and 4% for secondary prophylaxis. The dose of filgrastim was appropriate in 93% of patients, while 7% received a sub-optimal dose without the worsening of their clinical outcomes. We could not assess the duration of therapy for 38 patients who either died or were discharged before achieving the desired absolute neutrophil count (ANC). Of the 69 patients treated for FN, only 33% received filgrastim until they achieved the ANC goal (1,500-8,000/µL), while 36% continued to receive filgrastim treatment beyond the desired ANC goal. CONCLUSION: In our study, filgrastim was correctly prescribed; however, the ANC goal was not achieved in 47% of the patients. If the recommended ANC range had been targeted, a minimum of 28 doses could have been potentially avoided. This approach would have saved approximately $56,000. Therefore, future protocols should focus on pharmacist-led interventions to optimise G-CSF usage.

Incidence and clinical course of septic shock in neutropenic patients during chemotherapy for gynecological cancers.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the incidence and clinical course of septic shock combined with neutropenia during chemotherapy in gynecological cancer patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all gynecological cancer patients who received intravenous chemotherapy between March 2009 and March 2018. Patients diagnosed with neutropenic septic shock (NSS) during the course of chemotherapy were identified. We calculated the overall incidence and mortality rate of NSS, and analyzed risk factors and clinical course. RESULTS: A total of 1,009 patients received 10,239 cycles of chemotherapy during the study period. Among these, 30 (3.0%) patients had 32 NSS events, of which 12 (1.2%) died. With respect to patient age during the first course of chemotherapy, the incidence of NSS after the age of 50 was significantly higher than that in patients under 50 (3.9% vs. 1.4%, p=0.034). As the number of chemotherapy courses increased, the incidence of NSS increased, and linear-by-linear association analysis showed a positive correlation (p=0.004). NSS events occurred on average 7.8 days after the last cycle of chemotherapy, and the median duration of vasopressor administration was 23.3 hours. The median age (64.0 vs. 56.5, p=0.017) and peak heart rate (149.5 min-1 vs. 123.5 min-1, p=0.015) were significantly higher in the group of patients who subsequently died of NSS than in those who survived. CONCLUSION: The overall incidence of NSS in gynecological cancer patients receiving chemotherapy was 3.0%, which is higher than previously estimated. Peak heart rate during NSS events may be an indicator for predicting survival.