Retrospective comparison of the effects of filgrastim and pegfilgrastim on the pace of engraftment in auto-SCT patients

[Effect and safety of pegylated recombinant human G-CSF on hematopoietic reconstitution after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in lymphoma patients]

Objective: Efficacy and safety analysis of pegylated recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (PEG-rhG-CSF) in promoting hematopoietic recovery after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) in patients with lymphoma. Methods: A total of 149 patients after auto-HSCT in Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine were enrolled in this study from April 2016 to December 2021. There were 75 cases in the PEG-rhG-CSF group who were given a single subcutaneous dose of 100 µg/kg on the first day and +8 d, while 74 cases in the rhG-CSF group were given a dose of 5-10 µg·kg(-1)·d(-1) by subcutaneous injection from +1d continuing to an absolute value of neutrophil (ANC) of more than 1.5×10(9)/L. Results: ①The time of grade 3/4 agranulocytosis and neutrophil implantation in the PEG-rhG-CSF group were significantly different from that in rhG-CSF group (P=0.010, 0.030, 0.007) . There were no significant differences in the platelet implantation time, anemia incidence and duration, and platelet and red blood cell infusion within 1 month after transplantation between groups. ②The agranulocytosis with fever incidence in PEG-rhG-CSF group was similar to that in rhG-CSF group (84.0% vs 82.4% , P=0.798) , but the duration was shorter in the PEG-rhG-CSF group (4.0 d vs 5.5 d, P=0.005) . ③The incidence of infection in the PEG-rhG-CSF and the rhG-CSF groups were 22.7% (17/75) and 31.1% (23/74) , respectively (P=0.247) , and the bloodstream infection incidence were 5.3% (4/75) and 9.5% (7/74) , respectively (P=0.336) . ④The PEG-rhG-CSF group and rhG-CSF group's mean length of hospital stay were 31.5 (23-43) days and 37 (25-75) days, respectively (P<0.001) . ⑤The PEG-rhG-CSF group and rhG-CSF group's disease-free survival rates were (96.4±2.5) % and (94.7±2.6) % (P=0.638) , respectively, and the OS rates were 100.0% and (98.6±1.3) % (P=0.312) , respectively. Conclusion: PEG-rhG-CSF application after auto-HSCT in patients with lymphoma can promote hematopoietic granulocyte reconstruction and shorten hospital stay, but has no significant effect on the incidence of infection, disease-free survival, and overall survival after transplantation.

Pegfilgrastim improves the outcomes of mobilization and engraftment in autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for the treatment of multiple myeloma

Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is the only curable therapy for multiple myeloma (MM), while its success primarily relies on mobilization to obtain sufficient hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HPC). Although the role of Pegfilgrastim (PEG), a novel PEGylated form of the recombinant G-CSF filgrastim (FIL), in mobilization has been demonstrated, it remains unclear whether this approach is cost-effective in MM treatment. Here, we performed a real-world analysis to evaluate the efficacy and cost of PEG for mobilization in a cohort of MM patients, of which 53% carried high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities. A total of 91 patients who received either a single dose of PEG (6 or 12 mg, n = 42) or multiple dosing of 10 μg/kg/day FIL (n = 49) after chemotherapy for HPC mobilization were included. The yield of MNCs and CD34⁺ cells per milliliter of blood collected via apheresis was significantly greater in the PEG group than that in the FIL group (P = 0.014 and P = 0.038). Mobilization with PEG yielded significantly higher median number of collected CD34⁺ cells than FIL (5.56 vs. 4.82 × 10⁶/kg; P = 0.038). Moreover, the average time-to-recovery of leukocytes and platelets after transplantation was markedly shorter in the PEG group than that in the FIL group (leukocyte, 11.59 ± 1.98 vs 12.93 ± 2.83 days, P = 0.019; platelet, 12.86 ± 2.62 vs 14.80 ± 5.47, P = 0.085). However, the total cost of mobilization and apheresis using PEG or FIL was comparable (P = 0.486). Of note, mobilization with 12 mg PEG further shortened time-to-recovery of leukocytes (10.64 ± 0.51 vs. 12.04 ± 2.26 days, P = 0.05) and platelets (10.60 ± 2.89 vs. 13.33 ± 2.35 days, P = 0.031) compared with 6 mg PEG. Our results support a notion that PEG (especially 12 mg) combined with chemotherapy is a cost-effective and convenient regimen of mobilization, which might improve the outcome of ASCT in MM.

Low-dose peripheral blood stem cell graft after high-dose chemotherapy - an evaluation of hematopoietic reconstitution

Background

High-dose (HD) chemotherapy followed by autologous blood stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) is the standard treatment for multiple myeloma (MM) patients. However, the collection of sufficient peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) grafts can be challenging, and the question arises whether reinfusion of low-dose grafts will lead to a hematopoietic recovery.

Methods

The hematopoietic recovery of 148 MM patients who underwent HD melphalan chemotherapy and received PBSC transplants with varying CD34+ cells doses (3–4 × 10⁶ [n = 86], 2–2.5 × 10⁶ [n = 53], < 2 × 10⁶ [n = 9] per kg body weight [bw]) was analyzed in this retrospective single-center study.

Results

All patients reached hematopoietic reconstitution, even those who received < 2 × 10⁶ CD34+ cells/kg bw. 62 (42%) patients received granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). The median duration to leukocyte recovery ≥1.0 × 10⁹/L was 12 days in every group. The median duration to platelet recovery ≥20 × 10⁹/L was 11, 13 and 13 days, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, a low number of reinfused CD34+ cells was associated with prolonged time until leukocyte reconstitution (p = 0.010, HR 0.607) and platelet recovery (p < 0.001, HR 0.438). G-CSF support significantly accelerated leukocyte (p < 0.001, HR 16.742) but not platelet reconstitution.

Conclusion

In conclusion, reinfusion of low- and even very-low-dose PBSC grafts leads to sufficient hematopoietic reconstitution. No severe adverse events were observed during or after HD chemotherapy and ASCT in the analyzed cohort. While the impact of CD34+ cell dose is marginal, G-CSF significantly accelerates the leukocyte recovery.

Pegfilgrastim: More Cost Effective and Equally Efficacious Option as Compared to Filgrastim in Autologous Stem Cell Transplant

Use of growth factor after high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) and autologous peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) support is current standard in reducing days of neutropenia. This retrospective study aims to compare the efficacy of two standard growth factors, pegfilgrastim (PEG) and filgrastim (FIL) after HDC. We collected data on 195 consecutive adult patients who received an autotransplant (myeloma, lymphoma and others) between January 2004 and December 2014 at two tertiary care centres. The primary end point was the duration of neutropenia in terms of days to reach an ANC > 0.5 × 10⁹/L. Filgrastim was given to 110 patients and PEG was given to 85 patients. Time to engraftment, defined as the time to reach an ANC of 0.5 × 10⁹/L on 2 consecutive days after the day of auto-SCT, was 12.6 days with FIL compared with 12.1 days with PEG group (p = 0.126). When comparing the total days of severe neutropenia (WBC < 0.1 × 10⁹/L), there were 5.5 days of severe neutropenia with FIL compared with 5.8 days with PEG group (p = 0.7). The duration of febrile neutropenia was an average of 5.3 days with FIL and 4.6 days with PEG (p = 0.029). The total number of antibiotic days was shorter for the patients who received PEG, being 11.08 days with PEG and 12.1 days with FIL (p = 0.184).The average cost savings per person in terms of number of days of hospitalization and number of days of total parental nutrition was 582 Rs (p = 0.512) and 6003 Rs (p = 0.018) respectively in favour of PEG arm. PEG is similar to FIL in hematological reconstitution, however it is more cost effective alternative after HDC and PBSC.

Fractionated stem cell infusions for patients with plasma cell myeloma undergoing autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation

We conducted a phase II trial investigating the impact of fractionated hematopoietic cell infusions on engraftment kinetics and symptom burden in patients with plasma cell myeloma (PCM) undergoing autologous hematopoietic cell transplant (AHCT). We hypothesized that multiple hematopoietic cell infusions would reduce duration of neutropenia and enhance immune recovery resulting in a better tolerated procedure. Twenty-six patients received high-dose melphalan followed by multiple cell infusions (Days 0, +2, +4, +6) and were compared to PCM patients (N = 77) who received high-dose melphalan and a single infusion (Day 0) (concurrent control group). The primary endpoint was number of days with ANC <500K/mcL. Symptom burden was assessed using the MSK-modified MD Anderson Symptom Inventory. Median duration of neutropenia was similar in study (4 days, range 3-5) and control patients (4 days, range 3-9) (p = 0.654). There was no significant difference in the number of red cell or platelet transfusions, days of fever, diarrhea, antibiotics, number of documented infections, or length of admission. Symptom burden surveys showed that AHCT was well-tolerated in both study and control patients. We conclude that fractionated stem cell infusions following high-dose melphalan do not enhance engraftment kinetics or significantly alter patients' clinical course following AHCT in PCM.

Favorable outcomes in elderly patients undergoing high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation for non-Hodgkin lymphoma

High-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (HDT-ASCT) can offer potential long-term remission or cure in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Limited experience is available on the safety and efficacy of HDT-ASCT in elderly patients. This is a single-center, retrospective study examining outcomes of HDT-ASCT for 202 NHL patients, ages 60 years and older, between January 2001 and December 2012. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed according to age at HDT-ASCT, hematopoietic cell transplantation comorbidity index (HCT-CI), NHL histology, and remission status at the time of HDT-ASCT. The median age was 65 years (range, 60 to 74) and the majority had either diffuse large B cell lymphoma (n = 73, 37%) or mantle cell lymphoma (n = 69, 34%). One hundred and fifteen patients (57%) had high HCT-CI scores at the time of HDT-ASCT. With a median follow-up of 3.6 years (range, 4 to 11.9 years) for survivors, PFS and OS at 3 years were 60% (95% confidence interval [CI], 53% to 68%) and 73% (95% CI, 67% to 80%), respectively. Transplantation-related mortality (TRM) was 4% both at 100 days and at 1 year after HDT-ASCT. Age and HCT-CI score were not associated with OS or PFS, and high HCT-CI did not correlate with TRM. Seven patients (4%) developed secondary myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia at a median of 35 months (range, 6 to 48) after HDT-ASCT. In this single-center cohort of elderly patients with NHL undergoing HDT-ASCT, this intervention was proven tolerable and effective, with results similar to those of historic controls in younger patients. Our data suggest that age alone should not preclude HDT-ASCT in elderly patients.

Efficacy of deferred dosing of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in autologous hematopoietic transplantation for multiple myeloma

Routine administration of G-CSF following autologous hematopoietic SCT (ASCT) expedites ANC recovery and reduces hospitalization by 1–2 days; it has no impact on febrile neutropenia, infections, morbidity, mortality, event-free survival or OS. To determine whether delayed G-CSF dosage could result in equivalent ANC recovery and thereby improve cost effectiveness, we deferred the administration of G-CSF until WBC recovery had begun. A total of 117 patients with multiple myeloma received ASCT from January 2005 to September 2012. Of these, 52 were in the conventional dosing group (CGD) and received G-CSF from Day +7 for a median of five doses. In the deferred dosing group (DGD), 65 patients received G-CSF from median day 14 post transplant for a median of zero doses. There was no difference between groups in the incidence or duration of febrile neutropenia, duration of ⩾grade III mucositis, weight gain, rash, engraftment syndrome or early death (100 days). The DGD group had a significantly longer time to neutrophil engraftment than the CGD group (15 days vs 12 days; P<0.0001), a longer period of severe neutropenia (<100/μL; 8 days vs 6 days; P<0.0001), longer treatment with intravenous antibiotics (7 days vs 5 days; P=0.016) and longer hospital stay (19 days vs 17 days; P=<0.0001). Although the cost of G-CSF was lower in the DGD group (mean $308 vs $2467), the additional hospitalization raised the median total cost of ASCT in this group by 17%. There was, however, no adverse effect of deferred dosing on the rate of febrile neuropenic episodes or Day 100 survival, so that deferred dosing of G-CSF may be suitable for patients receiving ASCT as outpatients, for whom longer hospital stay would not be an offsetting cost.

Effect of filgrastim (recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor) on IgE responses in human asthma: a case study

RATIONALE

The role of peripheral blood progenitor cell mobilization on Immunoglobulin E (IgE) responses has not been studied.

METHODS

Distributions of blood lymphocytes (CD4+, CD8+, CD8+CD60+, CD19+, CD23+, CD16/56+, CD25, CD45RA+, CD45RO+, CD34+), and levels of serum immunoglobulins (IgM, IgG, IgA, IgE) were studied in an allergic asthmatic serum IgE+ (181IU/mL) adult (m/45 y/o) donor undergoing routine stem cell mobilization protocol (American Society of Hematology) before (day-30), during (day 4), and after (1 wk post last dose) filgrastim (subcutaneous, 480 mcg, 2qd) treatment (flow cytometry, nephelometry, UniCAP Total IgE Fluoro enzyme immunoassay).

RESULTS

On day 4 of filgrastim treatment, numbers of CD8+CD60+T cells and CD23+ blood cells dramatically increased (98% and 240% respectively) compared with pre treatment. In contrast on day 4 of treatment, serum IgE levels decreased (>50%) compared with pre treatment. CD8+CD60+T cells and CD23+ blood cells and serum IgE levels approached pre-treatment levels at 1 week post treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Filgrastim treatment transiently increases numbers of CD8+CD60+T and CD23+ expressing cells, which are known to regulate human IgE responses, while also transiently suppressing ongoing IgE responses. These results suggest that filgrastim affects IgE related responses, and may be useful in modulating allergic responses.

Cost effectiveness of pegfilgrastim versus filgrastim after high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with lymphoma and myeloma: an economic evaluation of the PALM Trial

BACKGROUND

Use of the recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) filgrastim accelerates neutrophil recovery following myelosuppressive chemotherapy. Since filgrastim requires multiple daily administrations, forms of rhG-CSF with a longer half life, including pegfilgrastim, have been developed. Pegfilgrastim is safe and effective in supporting neutrophil recovery and reducing febrile neutropenia after conventional chemotherapy. Pegfilgrastim has also been successfully used to support patients undergoing peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation for haematological malignancies. To our knowledge, no cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) of pegfilgrastim in this setting has been published yet.

OBJECTIVE

We undertook a CEA to compare a single injection of pegfilgrastim versus repeated administrations of filgrastim in patients who had undergone PBSC transplantation for lymphoma or myeloma. The CEA was set in France and covered a period of 100 ± 10 days from transplant.

METHODS

The CEA was designed as part of an open-label, multicentre, randomized phase II trial. Costs were assessed from the hospital's point of view and are expressed in 2009 euros. Costs computation focused on inpatient, outpatient, and home care. Costs in the two arms of the study were compared using the Mann-Whitney test. When differences were statistically significant, multiple regression analyses were performed in order to identify cost drivers. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) were calculated for the major endpoints of the trial; i.e., duration of febrile neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count [ANC] <0.5 × 10(9)/L and temperature ≥38 °C), duration of neutropenia (ANC <1.0 × 10(9)/L and ANC <0.5 × 10(9)/L), duration of thrombopenia (platelets <50 × 10(9)/L and <20 × 10(9)/L), and days with a temperature ≥38 °C). Uncertainty around the ICER was captured by a probabilistic analysis using a non-parametric bootstrap method.

RESULTS

151 patients were enrolled at ten French centres from October 2008 to September 2009. The mean total cost in the pegfilgrastim arm of the study (n = 74) was <euro>25,024 (SD 9,945). That in the filgrastim arm (n = 76) was <euro>28,700 (SD 20,597). Pegfilgrastim strictly dominated filgrastim for days of febrile neutropenia avoided, days of neutropenia (ANC <1.0 × 10(9)/L) avoided, days of thrombopenia (platelets <20 × 10(9)/L) avoided, and days with temperature ≥38 °C) avoided. Pegfilgrastim was less costly and less effective than filgrastim for the number of days with ANC <0.5 × 10(9)/L avoided and the number of days with platelets <50.0 × 10(9)/L avoided. Taking uncertainty into account, the probabilities that pegfilgrastim strictly dominated filgrastim were 67 % for febrile neutropenia, 86 % for neutropenia (ANC <1.0 × 10(9)/L), 59 % for thrombopenia (platelets <20 × 10(9)/L), 86 % for temperature ≥38 °C, 32 % for neutropenia (ANC <0.5 × 10(9)/L), and 43 % for thrombopenia (platelets <50 × 10(9)/L). Conversely, the probability that filgrastim strictly dominated pegfilgrastim for neutropenia (ANC <0.5 × 10(9)/L) is 5 %.

CONCLUSION

This study found no evidence that the use of pegfilgrastim is associated with greater cost in lymphoma and myeloma patients after high-dose chemotherapy and PBSC transplantation.

A randomized, non-inferiority study comparing efficacy and safety of a single dose of pegfilgrastim versus daily filgrastim in pediatric patients after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplant

PURPOSE

To assess the non-inferiority of pegfilgrastim versus filgrastim in speeding the recovery of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) in pediatric patients who underwent autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplant (PBSCT).

METHODS

The sample size of this randomized, multicenter, phase III study, was calculated assuming that a single dose of pegfilgrastim of 100 ug/kg was not inferior to 9 doses of filgrastim of 5 ug/kg/day. Randomization was performed by a computer-generated list and stored by sequentially numbered sealed envelopes.

RESULTS

Sixty-one patients, with a median age of 11.5 years, were recruited: 29 in the filgrastim arm and 32 in the pegfilgrastim arm. Twenty percent were affected by lymphoma/leukaemia and eighty percent by solid tumors. The mean time to PMN engraftment was 10.48 days (standard deviation [SD] 1.57) and 10.44 days (SD 2.44) in the filgrastim and pegfilgrastim arms, respectively. Having fixed a non-inferiority margin Delta of 3, the primary endpoint of non-inferiority was reached. No differences were observed for other secondary endpoints: platelet engraftment, mean time to platelet recovery (28 days vs. 33 days), fever of unknown origin (79% vs. 78%), proven infection (34% vs. 28%), mucositis (76% vs. 59%). After a median follow-up of 2.3 years (95% C.I.: 1.5, 3.3), 20 deaths were observed due to disease progression.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that pegfilgrastim was not inferior to daily filgrastim in pediatric patients who underwent PBSCT. EU CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTER NUMBER: 2007-001430-14.

A randomised phase II study of the efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of pegfilgrastim and filgrastim after autologous stem cell transplant for lymphoma and myeloma (PALM study)

AIM

To evaluate in a multicentre randomised study the effect on duration of febrile neutropenia (FN), the safety and cost-effectiveness of a single subcutaneous pegfilgrastim injection compared with daily injections of filgrastim after peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in patients receiving high dose chemotherapy for myeloma and lymphoma.

METHODS

Patients were randomly assigned to a single dose of pegfilgrastim at day 5 (D5) or daily filgrastim from D5 to the recovery of absolute neutrophil count (ANC) to 0.5 G/L. Duration of FN, of neutrophil and platelet recovery, transfusion and antibiotic requirements were the main end-points of the study. Costs were calculated from D0 until transplant unit discharge. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was expressed as the cost per day of FN prevented. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was performed by non-parametric bootstrap methods.

RESULTS

Between October 2008 and September 2009, 10 centres enrolled 151 patients: 80 patients with lymphoma and 71 patients with myeloma. The mean duration of FN was 3.07 days (standard deviation (SD) 1.96) in the pegfilgrastin arm and 3.29 (SD 2.54) in the filgrastim one. Mean total costs were 23,256 and 25,448 euros for pegfilgrastim and filgrastim patients, respectively. There was a 62% probability that pegfilgrastim strictly dominates filgrastim.

CONCLUDING STATEMENT

Pegfilgrastim after PBSC transplantation in myeloma and lymphoma is safe, effective when compared with filgrastim and could represent a cost-effective alternative in this setting.

Early versus late administration of pegfilgrastim after high-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

PURPOSE

Single-dose pegylated filgrastim (pegfilgrastim) after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) showed similar efficacy compared to daily lenograstim. To address the question of the optimal application time, we randomly assigned patients (pts) to pegfilgrastim on day + 1 (Peg1) or day + 4 (Peg4) after AHSCT.

METHOD

Fifty-three pts with different hematological malignancies were included in this prospective randomized multicenter study. Primary endpoint of this study was time to neutrophil recovery (>500 Gpt/l), and secondary endpoint was time to neutrophil recovery (>1,000 Gpt/l), platelet recovery (>20,000 Gpt/l), number and duration of febrile episodes, i.v. antibiotics, and number of transfusions. Time to engraftment endpoints were estimated according to Kaplan-Meier.

RESULTS

Median time to neutrophil recovery (>500 Gpt/l) was 10 days (95% CI: 10-11) in Peg1 versus 10 days (95% CI: 10-11) in Peg4 (P = 0.68, logrank test; hazard ratio: 0.93). The corresponding mean values were 10.2 and 10.4 days. Median time to platelet recovery (>20,000 Gpt/l) was 10 (95% CI: 10-11) in Peg1 versus 10 (95% CI: 9-11) in Peg4, again not significantly different (P = 0.54). There was no difference regarding the incidence (67% vs. 60%, P = 0.77, Fisher's exact test) or duration of febrile neutropenia episodes in both groups (median: 1 vs. 1; mean: 2.8 vs. 2.4 days; P = 0.73, Wilcoxon test).

CONCLUSION

In terms of neutrophil or platelet recovery after AHSCT, number and duration of febrile episodes, the use of i.v. antibiotics, early and late administration of pegfilgrastim are equally effective.

SCT without growth factor in multiple myeloma: engraftment kinetics, bacteremia and hospitalization

SCT is important in the management of multiple myeloma. In the United States, the standard of care is administration of growth factors to accelerate neutrophil recovery after SCT. The need for growth factors after transplant has not been investigated recently. We analyzed a cohort of 166 patients at our institution who underwent autologous transplant for multiple myeloma without receiving growth factors after transplant and compared them with 498 patients who received standard filgrastim beginning on posttransplant day 5. A neutrophil count of 500/μL was achieved in a median of 12.5 days in patients receiving growth factor, compared with 13.5 days in those not receiving growth factor (P<0.001). Platelet engraftment was identical (median, 14.5 days; P=0.12) in both groups, despite a lower median number of CD34+ cells infused in patients who did not receive growth factors. Incidence of nonstaphylococcal bacteremia was identical in both groups. The median hospital stay was 3.5 days shorter in the group not receiving growth factor. It is feasible and reasonable to perform autologous SCT for multiple myeloma without administering growth factors.