Novel risk factors for febrile neutropenia in NHL, other cancers

As with oral antibiotics, the researchers found no association between FN and the following factors (with the PSA model):

• Prior surgery (HR=0.89; 95% CI, 0.72-1.11; P=0.30)
• Prior RT (HR=0.91; 95% CI, 0.64-1.27; P=0.61)
• Concurrent RT (HR=1.32; 95% CI, 0.69-2.37; P=0.37).

The researchers noted that they did not account for radiation field or dose in this study, so additional evaluation of RT as a risk factor is needed.

In closing, Dr. Chao and her colleagues said these results suggest cor­ticosteroid use, IV antibiotics, and certain dermatologic and mucosal conditions should be tak­en into consideration when monitoring patients receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy and when evaluating the need for prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor or chemotherapy dose reduction.

Dr. Chao and her colleagues received funding from Amgen, Inc., to perform this study.