Risk Factor Analysis for the Occurrence of Severe Adverse Effects in Eribulin Treatment

Eribulin is an effective chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer and advanced or metastatic soft-tissue sarcomas. However, severe adverse effects (SAEs) occur in 30-40% of the patients, and significantly reduce the patients' quality of life and disturb the recommended treatment schedules. Neutropenia is the main cause of treatment suspension, delay, and/or dose reductions, also leading to relative dose intensity reduction. This study aimed to examine the risk factors for SAE occurrence after eribulin treatment.

Eighty patients with metastatic breast cancer or advanced or metastatic soft tissue sarcoma who received eribulin were retrospectively evaluated. Risk factors for SAE occurrence in the first cycle were primarily assessed. In addition, factors associated with SAE occurrence during all treatment cycles were evaluated.

SAEs in the first cycle occurred in 45% of patients. The primary SAE was neutropenia (91.7%). The incidence of SAEs during all treatment cycles was 61.3%. Multivariate analyses suggested that lower baseline neutrophil and hemoglobin levels were risk factors for SAE occurrence and severe neutropenia incidence in the first cycle. An independent factor associated with SAE occurrence during all cycles was age ≥65 years and a tendency was confirmed for baseline anemia.

Baseline neutropenia and anemia were risk factors for SAE occurrence during the first eribulin treatment cycle. Age ≥65 years was also associated with SAE occurrence during all treatment cycles. Patients with these risk factors should be carefully monitored for assessment and prophylaxis.