Guest guest Posted September 19, 2011 Report Share Posted September 19, 2011 I'm starting Bendamustine/Treanda treatment this week, my first CLL treatment. My oncologist has scheduled a Neulasta shot the day after each 2-day treatment of each of the six rounds. Has anyone on the list been given this drug prophylactically during treatment? Dr. Furman - do you think this is a good idea? Thanks, Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 20, 2011 Report Share Posted September 20, 2011 Hi Ron, Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) and a similar drug, Neupogen, are used to counter the effects of chemoimmunotherapy agents, including rituximab, that can cause neutropenia as a result of myelosuppression. See the PubMed Health article at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000407/ . My FCR treatment in 2009 included a Neupogen shot after each of 6 cycles. Also, my hematologist monitored neut counts after treatment because late-onset neutropenia (as much as 6 months post-treatment) is sometimes associated with rituximab. Researchers conducting the Phase II BR study in relapsed/refractory CLL patients found that Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia occurred in almost a quarter of the patients. Ref: J Clin Oncol. 2011 Sep 10;29(26):3559-66. The study abstract is at PMID: 21844497 [PubMed - in process], and the link is: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21844497 . Accordingly, prophylactic use of Neulasta appears to be normal and prudent. Regards, Tim Klug Ron wrote: /message/16044 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 20, 2011 Report Share Posted September 20, 2011 Check out 's thoughtful article. Neulasta also being discussed on the ACOR CLL group. Lynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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