Dose modification for haematological toxicity: a survey of Australian medical oncologists

Evidence supporting dose modifications to reduce serious treatment-related adverse events of antineoplastic therapy is limited and frequently based on clinical trial protocols, which are not always generalisable to community patients. eviQ is an online resource with treatment protocols and recommendations for dose modification formulated by expert opinion and evidence-based review. Original recommended haematological thresholds to delay treatment were: neutrophil count <1.5 × 10⁹ /L and platelet count <100 × 10⁹ /L.

To evaluate the current practices of Australian medical oncologists with regard to haematological dose modifications for antineoplastic treatments, and to determine rates of adherence to eviQ recommendations.

An online survey regarding haematological dose modifications was distributed to over 400 Medical Oncology Group of Australia members and eviQ medical oncology reference committee members via email. Responses were collated on 18 December 2017.

Of 153 respondents, 67% indicated that they did not follow the eviQ haematological dose modification guidelines; 8% delayed curative intent treatment at neutrophil counts <1.5 × 10⁹ /L, compared with 36% for palliative treatment; most delayed treatment at neutrophil counts <1.0 × 10⁹ /L (94% curative and 97% palliative respectively). 70% of clinicians delayed palliative treatment at platelet counts <100 × 10⁹ /L, compared to 34% with curative treatment. No respondents indicated the original haematological cut-off levels were too aggressive.

The majority of responding medical oncologists indicated that they did not follow the eviQ haematological dose modification guidelines, which were viewed as too conservative. Subsequent to this survey, eviQ reviewed and updated haematological dose modification recommendations.