Background: Neutropenia and its complications
represent one of the principal dose-limiting toxicity issues in
chemotherapeutic regimens for soft tissue sarcoma.
Prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)
reduces the risk of febrile neutropenia (FN). The correct
timing of G-CSF administration should be considered in order
to optimize the prophylactic treatment. Patients and Methods:
Patients (≥18 years old) affected by soft tissue sarcoma and
treated with epirubicin and ifosfamide, underwent prophylactic
treatment with G-CSF (lenograstim at 263 μg) from day 5 to
day 9. The proportion of patients experiencing FN and G4
neutropenia was considered. Results: A total of 36 patients
receiving three cycles of chemotherapy with epirubicin plus
ifosfamide were treated. None developed FN; G4 neutropenia
was reported in 17% of patients. No treatment delay or dose
reduction was required, no antibiotic therapy was
administered and no hospitalization occurred. Conclusion:
Five-day lenograstim treatment is efficient as prophylaxis of
FN for soft tissue sarcoma chemotherapy regimens and allows
maintenance of chemotherapy dose intensity
