[Utility of Prophylactic Administration of Pegfilgrastim in Breast Cancer Chemotherapy]

Febrile neutropenia(FN)is a frequent adverse event observed in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy that may cause life-threatening infections. However, reducing the dose of anti-cancer drugs for breast cancer in adjuvant settings to prevent FN has been reported to adversely affect patient survival. Therefore, it is important to administer therapeutic agents as per their prescheduled regimens without delays or reductions in the dosage. From April 2015 to September 2017, pegfilgrastim was administered to 24 patients with breast cancer(primary prevention in 11 patients and secondary prevention in 13 patients)to prevent FN during chemotherapy in either adjuvant or metastatic settings. We were able to reduce the incidence of FN through prophylactic administration of pegfilgrastim without encountering serious adverse events. The inclusion of pegfilgrastim is considered essential for the safe administration of chemotherapy according to a preplanned schedule. Here, we discuss the indications, efficacy, and safety of the drug.