667 pegylated recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor in definitive chemoradiotherapy of esophageal cancer: preliminary results

Abstract To compare the efficiency and safety of pegylated recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (PEG-rhG-CSF), on the risk of neutropenia in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) of definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT). Methods ESCC patients receiving dCRT in our hospital were adopted in this study. Patients in the PEG-rhG-CSF group were treated with preventive PEG-rhG-CSF 6 mg subcutaneously at 24–48 h after completion of chemotherapy of each cycle, while the control group was not. The usage of rhG-CSF was permitted when the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≤2 × 109/L, or white blood cell count (WBC) ≤3 × 109/L. Results A total of 34 ESCC patients were in the PEG-rhG-CSF group and 41 were in the control group. Improved chemotherapy cycle completion and radiation dose completion were identified in the PEG-rhG-CSF group (P < 0.001). Leukocyte recovery and neutrophil recovery, (P < 0.001). PEG-rhG-CSF reduced incidence of neutropenia, and time to ANC recovery in different chemotherapy cycles, with (Cycle 1–2, P < 0.001 ~ P = 0.02) or without RT (Cycle 3–4, P = 0.04 ~ P = 0.8799). Antibiotics utilization rates were significantly higher in the PEG-rhG-CSF group during concurrent chemotherapy with RT, but not during consolidative CRT (Cycle 3 and Cycle 4: P > 0.05). Conclusion PEG-rhG-CSF prescribed as prophylaxis reduces acute toxicities by concurrent CRT and contributes to completion of dCRT regime in locally advanced ESCC therapeutics. The significance was not observed in chemotherapy alone without RT in the current findings.