Pegfilgrastim on febrile neutropenia in pediatric and adolescent cancer
patients: A systematic review and single-arm meta-analysis
Abstract
Background: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF) can be used
as prophylaxis for febrile neutropenia (FN) in adults. There is no
meta-analysis about the effects of pegfilgrastim on the occurrence of FN
in pediatric/adolescent cancer patients. Purpose: To determine the
effect of pegfilgrastim on FN in pediatric and adolescent cancer
patients. Methods: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library were
searched for studies published prior to April 7, 2020. The outcome was
the occurrence of FN. For analyses showing high heterogeneity
(I2>50% and Q-test P<0.10), the random-effect
model was used; otherwise, the fixed-effect model was used. Results:
Eight studies were included, comprising 167 patients and 550 courses of
treatment. Pegfilgrastim decreased the rate of FN compared with controls
(ES=0.26, 95%CI: 0.15-0.36, P<0.001); this was observed in
prospective and retrospective studies. There was no difference between
pegfilgrastim and filgrastim for the rate of FN in children receiving
chemotherapy (OR=0.68, 95%CI: 0.20-2.23, P=0.520). Pegfilgrastim
decreased the rate of grade 4 FN compared with controls (ES=0.40,
95%CI: 0.16-0.63, P=0.017); this was observed when analyzing the
courses of treatment, but not the patients. Pegfilgrastim had no impact
on treatment delays due to FN (ES=0.05, 95%CI: -0.00-0.10, P=0.061).
Pegfilgrastim decreased the rate of severe neutropenia compared with
controls (ES=0.39, 95%CI: 0.04-0.74, P=0.031). Conclusion: Compared
with the control, pegfilgrastim significantly decreases the occurrence
of FN, grade 4 FN, and severe neutropenia in pediatric patients
receiving chemotherapy. Pegfilgrastim had no impact on treatment delays
due to FN.