[Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factors as adjunctive therapy in patients with neutropenic fever]

Chemotherapy induced neutropenic fever requires a hospitalization in 20-30 % of cases and is then associated with a mortality above 10 %. Hospitalized patients require strict isolation, which sometimes results in a substantial physical and psychological burden. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factors (G-CSF) are established in the primary and secondary prevention of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. However, their role as adjunctive therapy in patients with neutropenic fever is less clear. This review resumes current best evidence in this area and discusses current recommendations.