 |
How
are Patients with Neutropenia Treated?
Leukine
GM-CSF growth factor
used to treat neutopenic patients
Most common side effect
is fluid retention
Leukine is also used to
treat leukemia (cancer of blood-forming tissues)
|
Most patients with neutropenia
develop fever and are treated with antibiotics. Additionally, several new drugs called
granulocyte colony stimulating factors may stimulate the growth of neutrophils. Two of
these growth factors that stimulate production of white blood cells in the bone marrow are
the granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF, generic name sargramostim,
brand name Leukine) and granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF, generic name
filgrastim, brand name Neupogen). Neutropenic patients may take these growth factors after
they receive myelosuppressive chemotherapy (therapy to halt the
production of blood cells in the bone marrow) for up to two weeks. Growth factors are
usually administered by nurses when the patient is in the hospital, but patients (or their
family members) may learn how to give themselves these injections at home.
According to Amgen, the
manufacturer of Neupogen, patients with neutopenia should avoid:
- Contact with people who have colds or
infections
- Situations where a bruise or break to
the skin may result
- Immunization shots unless the
patient’s physician approves
- Squeezing pimples
- Any new medications unless the
patient’s physician approves
- Fingernail cuts or tears
- Cuts with sharp objects(1)
Health care professionals will monitor
a patient’s red and white blood cells counts during chemotherapy. If a patient’s
white blood cell count becomes very low, a patient may have to stop chemotherapy and take
growth factors to raise his/her cell count. Occasionally, physicians may prescribe growth
factors as prophylatic (preventive) treatment to avoid low white blood cell counts.
Neulasta
Longer lasting form of G-CSF growth factor used to treat neutopenic patients
Most common side effect is mild to moderate bone pain
Neulasta is made by the same manufacturer as Neupogen (Amgen)
|
A new drug called Neulasta (generic name, pegfilgrastim) is also
now available from Amgen. It is a longer lasting form of G-CSF which patients only need to receive
once per chemotherapy cycle, typically 24 hours after the cycle has been administered.
Additional Types of Neutropenia
Neutropenia is most common during
or after a patient receives chemotherapy to treat cancer. However,
according to the Neutropenia Support Association, there are several rare
types of neutropenia that may affect both adults and children.
Types of neutropenia:
- Chronic congenital neutropenia: a
rare inherited type of neutropenia that affect children more often than adults. Symptoms
include frequent fevers, mouth sores, ear infections, pneumonia, or rectal sores. If
untreated, many children may lose their teeth or develop severe gum infections. The most
severe form of chronic congenital neutropenia is called Kostmann's Syndrome.
- Cyclic neutropenia: occurs in both
children and adults and is often present in several members of the same family. Cyclic
neutropenia tends to occur every three weeks and last three to six days at a time.
Symptoms include fever, illness, and mouth ulcers. Children with cyclic neutropenia
usually improve after puberty.
- Chronic idiopathic neutropenia: is a
rare form of neutropenia that may result in life-threatening infections.(2)
Additional
Resources and References
Updated: November 16, 2007
< Prev | 1 | 2
Return to Treatment Main Menu |
