Hematopoietic Colony-Stimulating Factors (CSFs)

Number: 0055

Policy

Note: REQUIRES PRECERTIFICATIONFootnotes*

Notes on Least Cost Medically Necessary Brands

There are several brands of short-acting granulocyte colony stimulating factors (G-CSFs) on the market, including Neupogen (filgrastim), Zarxio (filgrastim-sndz), Nivestym (filgrastim-aafi), and Granix (tbo-filgrastim). There is a lack of reliable evidence that any one brand of short-acting G-CSF is superior to other brands for medically necessary indications. Zarxio and Nivestym brands of short-acting G-CSF ("least cost brands of short-acting G-CSF") are less costly to Aetna. Consequently, because Neupogen and Granix brands of short-acting G-CSFs are more costly than the least cost brands of short-acting G-CSFs, and least cost brands of short-acting G-CSFs are at least as likely to produce equivalent therapeutic results, these brands of short-acting G-CSFs will be considered medically necessary only if the member has a contraindication, intolerance or ineffective response to the least cost brands of short-acting G-CSFs, Zarxio and Nivestym.

There are several brands of long-acting granulocyte colony stimulating factors (G-CSFs) on the market, including Neulasta (pegfilgrastim), Fulphila (pegfilgrastim-jmdb), and pegfilgrastim-cbqv (Udenyca).There is a lack of reliable evidence that any one brand of long-acting G-CSF is superior to other brands for medically necessary indications. Fulphila and Udenyca are the least cost brands of long-acting G-CSF to Aetna. Consequently, because the Neulasta brand of long-acting G-CSF is more costly than the least cost brands of long-acting G-CSF, and the least cost brands of long-acting G-CSF are at least as likely to produce equivalent therapeutic results, Neulasta will be considered medically necessary only if the member has a contraindication, intolerance or ineffective response to one of the least cost brands of long-acting G-CSF, Fulphila or Udenyca.

The granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) Leukine (sargramostim) is not subject to least cost agent requirements and is considered medically necessary when criteria are met.

Aetna considers granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF; filgrastim (Neupogen), filgrastim-aafi (Nivestym), filgrastim-sndz (Zarxio), pegfilgrastim (Neulasta), pegfilgrastim-jmdb (Fulphila), pegfilgrastim-cbqv (Udenyca) or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF; sargramostim (Leukine)) for the prevention of febrile neutropenia (FN) medically necessary in adult and pediatric members with cancer for any of the following indications: 

1. Primary prophylaxis

   1. Individuals with non-myeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy that is expected to result in a 20 % or higher incidence of FN (see appendix); or

      Note: In the absence of special circumstances, most commonly used regimens have risks of FN of less than 20 %.  When available, alternative regimens offering equivalent efficacy, but not requiring CSF support, should be utilized (Smith et al, 2006).

   2. Individuals with non-myeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy that is expected to result in a 10 to 19 % incidence of FN (see appendix) who are considered to be at high risk for chemotherapy-induced FN infectious complications because of bone marrow compromise or co-morbidity, including any of the following (not an all-inclusive list):

      1. Active infections, open wounds, or recent surgery;
      2. Age greater than or equal to 65 years;
      3. Bone marrow involvement by tumor producing cytopenias;
      4. Previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy;
      5. Poor nutritional status;
      6. Poor performance status
      7. Previous episodes of FN;
      8. Other serious co-morbidities, including renal dysfunction, liver dysfunction, HIV infection, cardiovascular disease.
      9. Persistent neutropenia.

2. Secondary Prophylaxis

   Secondary prophylaxis for members with non-myeloid malignancies who experienced a febrile neutropenic complication or a dose-limiting neutropenic event (a nadir or day of treatment count impacting the planned dose of chemotherapy) from a prior cycle of similar chemotherapy, with the same dose and schedule planned for the current cycle (for which primary prophylaxis was not received).

   Note: Colony-stimulating factors should not be routinely used for afebrile neutropenia (Smith et al, 2006).

3. High-risk febrile neutropenia

   Therapeutic use in high-risk, febrile, neutropenic members who have any of the following prognostic factors that are predictive of clinical deterioration: 

1. Age greater than 65 years;  
2. Being hospitalized at the time of the development of fever;
3. Sepsis syndrome;
4. Invasive fungal infection;
5. Pneumonia or other clinically documented infection;
6. Prolonged (neutropenia expected to last greater than 10 days) or profound (absolute neutrophil count less than 1 x 10⁹/L) neutropenia;
7. Prior episodes of febrile neutropenia.

4. Dose intense chemotherapy

   To increase dose intensity chemotherapy regimens in settings where clinical research demonstrates that dose-intensive therapy produces improvement in disease control, when these therapies are expected to produce significant rates of FN (i.e., 20 % or higher incidence of FN). 

5. Acute Myeloid Leukemia

   Individuals with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) receiving induction or consolidation chemotherapy, or with chemotherapy for relapsed/refractory disease.

6. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

   Individuals with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) after completion of the first few days of chemotherapy of the initial induction or first post-remission course. 

7. Radiation Therapy

   Individuals receiving radiation therapy alone if prolonged delays secondary to neutropenia are expected.

8. Lymphoma

   Individuals with lymphoma aged 65 years and older treated with curative chemotherapy (R-CHOP [rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone] or more aggressive regimens).

9. Bone marrow transplantation

   Reduction in the duration of neutropenia and neutropenia-related infectious complications in members with non-myeloid malignancies undergoing myeloablative chemotherapy followed by autologous or allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). 

10. Progenitor cell mobilization

    As adjunct to progenitor cell-transplantation to mobilize peripheral-blood progenitor-cells (PBPC) often in conjunction with chemotherapy and their administration for autologous,and allogeneic transplant (for allogeneic transplant, filgrastim, filgrastim-aafi, filgrastim-sndz, and tbo-filgrastim only).

    Note: Neulasta (pegfilgrastim), Fulphila (pegfilgrastim-jmdb), and pegfilgrastim-cbqv (Udenyca) are not currently indicated for stem cell mobilization.

11. Myelodysplastic Syndromes

    Intermittent use in members with myelodysplastic syndromes who have symptomatic anemia, without del(5q), with or without other cytogenetic abnormalities, with serum erythropoietin ≤500 mU/mL.

12. Radiation Injury

    As treatment for radiation injury at doses of 3 to 10 Grays (Gy) or above.

13. Neuroblastoma

    Use with dinutuxin (Unituxin), interleukin-2 (aldesleukin (Proleukin)), and isotretinoin (13-cis-retinoic acid (RA)), for the treatment of high-risk neuroblastoma (GM-CSF only) (see CPB 0895 - Dinutuximab (Unituxin)). 

14. Hairy Cell Leukemia

    Individuals with Hairy Cell Leukemia with neutropenic fever following chemotherapy.

15. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

    Individuals with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) for treatment of resistant neutropenia due to dasatinib, bosutinib, imatinib, nilotinib, or ponatinib. 

Aetna considers granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF; filgrastim (Neupogen), filgrastim-aafi (Nivestym), filgrastim-sndz (Zarxio), pegfilgrastim (Neulasta), pegfilgrastim-jmdb (Fulphila), pegfilgrastim-cbqv (Udenyca), or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF; sargramostim (Leukine)) medically necessary for the prevention of febrile neutropenia in adult and pediatric members with any of the following non-oncologic indications:

• Chronic administration to reduce the incidence and duration of sequelae of neutropenia (e.g., fever, infections, oropharyngeal ulcers) in symptomatic individuals with congenital neutropenia, cyclic neutropenia, or idiopathic neutropenia; or 
• Individuals with advanced HIV infection and neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count less than 1 x 10⁹/L) to allow scheduled dosing of myelosuppressive anti-retroviral medication (e.g., zidovudine and ganciclovir); or
• Treatment of (non-chemotherapy) drug-induced agranulocytosis; or
• Treatment of low neutrophil counts in individuals with glycogen storage disease (GSD) type 1.

Aetna considers tbo-filgrastim (Granix, Neutroval)) for the prevention of febrile neutropenia (FN) medically necessary in adult and pediatric members with cancer for any of the following indications: 

1. Primary prophylaxis

   1. Individuals with non-myeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy that is expected to result in a 20 % or higher incidence of FN (see appendix)
      

2. Secondary prophylaxis

   Secondary prophylaxis for members who experienced a febrile neutropenic complication or a dose-limiting neutropenic event (a nadir or day of treatment count impacting the planned dose of chemotherapy) from a prior cycle of chemotherapy, with the same dose and schedule planned for the current cycle (for which primary prophylaxis was not received).

3. High-risk febrile neutropenia

   Therapeutic use in high-risk, febrile, neutropenic members who have any of the following prognostic factors that are predictive of clinical deterioration: 

   1. Age greater than 65 years;  
   2. Being hospitalized at the time of the development of fever;
   3. Sepsis syndrome;
   4. Invasive fungal infection;
   5. Pneumonia or other clinically documented infection;
   6. Prolonged (neutropenia expected to last greater than 10 days) or profound (absolute neutrophil count less than 1 x 109/L) neutropenia;
   7. Prior episodes of febrile neutropenia.

4. Dose intense chemotherapy

   To increase dose intense chemotherapy regimens in settings where clinical research demonstrates that dose-intensive therapy produces improvement in disease control, when these therapies are expected to produce significant rates of FN (i.e., 20 % or higher incidence of FN).

5. Acute Myeloid Leukemia

   Individuals with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) receiving induction or consolidation chemotherapy, or with chemotherapy for relapsed/refractory disease.  

6. Bone marrow transplantation

   Reduction in the duration of neutropenia and neutropenia-related infectious complications in members with non-myeloid malignancies undergoing myeloablative chemotherapy followed by autologous or allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). 

7. Progenitor cell mobilization

   As adjunct to progenitor cell-transplantation to mobilize peripheral-blood progenitor-cells (PBPC) often in conjunction with chemotherapy and their administration after autologous and allogeneic transplant.

Aetna considers tbo-filgrastim (Granix, Neutroval) medically necessary for the prevention of febrile neutropenia in adult and pediatric members with either of the following non-oncologic indications:

• Chronic administration to reduce the incidence and duration of sequelae of neutropenia (e.g., fever, infections, oropharyngeal ulcers) in symptomatic individuals with congenital neutropenia, cyclic neutropenia, or idiopathic neutropenia; or 
• Individuals with advanced HIV infection and neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count less than 1 x 109/L) to allow scheduled dosing of myelosuppressive anti-retroviral medication (e.g., zidovudine and ganciclovir); or
• Treatment of (non-chemotherapy) drug-induced agranulocytosis.

Aetna considers granulocyte colony-stimulating factor or granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor experimental and investigational for all other indications because its effectiveness for indications other than the ones listed above has not been established, including any of the following:

• Acute-on-chronic liver failure, treatment;
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, treatment;
• Antiviral-associated neutropenia in persons with hepatitis C, treatment;
• Aplastic anemia, treatment;
• Asherman's syndrome (amenorrhea due to intrauterine adhesions), treatment;
• Assisted reproductive technology (e.g., in-vitro fertilization)
• Cancer-related fatigue, treatment;
• Chemosensitization of myeloid leukemias;
• Concomitant use of any of these agents: filgrastim, filgrastim-aafi, filgrastim-sndz, tbo-filgrastim, sargramostim (unless part of stem cell mobilization protocol) or pegfilgrastim (within seven days of pegfilgrastim dose);
• Continued use if no response is seen within 28 to 42 days (members who have failed to respond within this time frame are considered non-responders);
• Crohn’s disease, treatment;
• Diabetic foot infections, treatment;
• Felty syndrome, treatment;
• Hematopoietic support following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation;
• Interferon-induced neutropenia, treatment;
• Ischemic heart disease,  treatment;
• Luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome, treatment;
• Melanoma, treatment;
• Myocardial infarction, treatment;
• Neutropenia in recipients of kidney or lung transplantation, treatment;
• Neutropenic members who are afebrile;
• Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, treatment;
• Peripheral artery disease, treatment;
• Pneumonia (other than febrile, neutropenic persons, as noted above), treatment;
• Post allogeneic transplant support in myeloid malignancies;
• Prophylactic reduction of sepsis and improvement of survival in pre-term neonates;
• Prostate cancer, treatment;
• Recurrent miscarriage and implantation failure, treatment;
• Routine use in most chemotherapy regimens as prophylaxis;
• Scleroderma, treatment;
• Spinal cord injury, treatment;
• Stroke, treatment;
• Use as adjunctive therapy to antibiotics in members with uncomplicated febrile neutropenia, which is defined as febrile neutropenia not meeting the high-risk criteria outlined above;
• Use either before and/or concurrently with chemotherapy for "priming" effects;
• Use in members receiving concomitant chemotherapy and radiation therapy;
• Use in women undergoing assisted reproduction technologies;
• Use to increase the dose-intensity or schedule of cytotoxic chemotherapy beyond established dosage range for these regimens.

Aetna considers combinational use of G-CSF (filgrastim (Neupogen), filgrastim-aafi (Nivestym), filgrastim-sndz (Zarxio), tbo-filgrastim (Granix) or pegfilgrastim (Neulasta)), pegfilgrastim-jmdb (Fulphila), pegfilgrastim-cbqv (Udenyca), or GM-CSF (sargramostim (Leukine)) or using more than one product during any one chemotherapy cycle experimental and investigational because the effectiveness of this approach has not been established.

Combination use of sargramostim with a filgrastim product for the mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells in the autologous setting is considered medically necessary.

The administration of pegfilgrastim (Neulasta), pegfilgrastim-jmdb (Fulphila), or pegfilgrastim-cbqv (Udenyca) with weekly chemotherapy regimens is considered experimental and investigational.

Footnotes*Note:  Precertification of filgrastim (Neupogen), filgrastim-sndz (Zarxio), filgrastim-aafi (Nivestym), pegfilgrastim (Neulasta), pegfilgrastim-jmdb (Fulphila), pegfilgrastim-cbqv (Udenyca), tbo-filgrastim (Granix), and sargramostim (Leukine) is required of all Aetna participating providers and members in applicable plan designs. For precertification, call (866) 503-0857, or fax (866) 267-3277.

See also CPB 0779 - Plerixafor (Mozobil) Injection.

Background

Standard practice in protecting against chemotherapy-associated infection has been chemotherapy dose modification or dose delay, administration of progenitor-cell support, or selective use of prophylactic antibiotics.  Chemotherapy associated neutropenic fever or infection has customarily involved treatment with intravenous antibiotics, usually accompanied by hospitalization.  The hematopoietic colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) have been introduced into clinical practice as additional supportive measures that can reduce the likelihood of neutropenic complications due to chemotherapy.

Colony‐stimulating factors are glycoproteins which act on hematopoietic cells by binding to specific cell surface receptors and stimulating proliferation, differentiation commitment, and some end‐cell functional activation. Endogenous G‐CSF is a lineage specific colony‐stimulating factor which is produced by monocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. G‐CSF regulates the production of neutrophils within the bone marrow. G‐CSF is not species specific and has been shown to have minimal direct in vivo or in vitro effects on the production of hematopoietic cell types other than the neutrophil lineage.

The prophylactic use of colony‐stimulating factors (CSFs) can reduce the risk, severity, and duration of both severe neutropenia and febrile neutropenia. Despite these benefits, CSFs are not administered to all patients receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy because of the costs associated with their routine use. The selective use of CSFs in members at increased risk for neutropenic complications may, however, enhance their cost‐effective use by directing treatment toward those patients who are most likely to benefit. The preventative use of CSF reduces the incidence, length and severity of chemotherapy-related neutropenia and may prevent life‐threatening complications. The definition of patients at high risk for severe or febrile neutropenia is outlined in ASCO guidelines referenced in this policy.

CSFs also have a place in therapy for many other types of neutropenia, bone marrow transplant, as well as for building up of white blood cells in peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) transplantation. Post bone marrow transplant, the patient must recover their white blood cells for higher quality of life as they are often isolated due to their weakened immune system during the transplant process. Radiation therapy can also weaken the immune system substantially, causing neutropenia. The inherent mechanism of action of colony‐stimulating factors (CSFs) to “jump start” bone marrow into creating myeloid cells helps correct neutropenia in many of these cases.

Colony-stimulating factors are recommended in some situations, e.g., to reduce the likelihood of febrile neutropenia (FN) when the expected incidence is greater than 20 %; after documented FN in a prior chemotherapy cycle to avoid infectious complications and maintain dose-intensity in subsequent treatment cycles when chemotherapy dose-reduction is not appropriate; and after high-dose chemotherapy with autologous progenitor-cell transplantation.  Colony-stimulating factors are also effective in the mobilization of peripheral-blood progenitor cells.  Therapeutic initiation of CSFs in addition to antibiotics at the onset of FN should be reserved for patients at high risk for septic complications.  Use of CSFs in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes may be reasonable if they are experiencing neutropenic infections.  Administration of CSFs after initial chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia does not appear to be detrimental, but clinical benefit has been variable and caution is advised.  Available data support use of CSFs in pediatric cancer patients similar to that recommended for adult patients.  Colony-stimulating factors should not be used concurrently with chemotherapy and radiation, or to support increasing dose-dense chemotherapy regimens.

Colony-Stimulating Factors (CSFs) and Concomitant Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Clinical Practice Guideline Update (2015) states that "CSFs should be avoided in patients receiving concomitant chemotherapy and radiation therapy, particularly involving the mediastinum.

In the absence of chemotherapy, therapeutic use of CSFs may be considered in patients receiving radiation therapy alone if prolonged delays secondary to neutropenia are expected." (Type: evidence based. Evidence quality: high. Strength of recommendation: strong.)

Neupogen

1. To decrease the incidence of infection‚ as manifested by febrile neutropenia‚ in patients with nonmyeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive anticancer drugs associated with a significant incidence of severe neutropenia with fever;
2. Reducing the time to neutrophil recovery and the duration of fever following induction or consolidation chemotherapy treatment of adults with AML;
3. To reduce the duration of neutropenia and neutropenia‐related clinical sequelae (e.g., febrile neutropenia) in patients with nonmyeloid malignancies undergoing myeloablative chemotherapy followed by marrow transplantation;
4. Mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells into the peripheral blood for collection by leukapheresis;
5. For chronic administration to reduce the incidence and duration of sequelae of neutropenia (e.g. fever‚infections‚oropharyngeal ulcers) in symptomatic patients with congenital neutropenia‚ cyclic neutropenia‚or idiopathic neutropenia; and
6. To increase survival in patients acutely exposed to myelosuppressive doses of radiation (Hematopoietic Syndrome of Acute Radiation Syndrome).

Efficacy studies of Neupogen (filgrastim) could not be conducted in humans with acute radiation syndrome for ethical and feasibility reasons. Approval of this indication was based on efficacy studies conducted in animals and data supporting the use of Neupogen (filgrastim) for other approved indications.

Filgrastim is available as Neupogen 300mcg and 480mcg vials and as 300mcg and 480mcg prefilled syringes. In adult cancer patients receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy or induction and consolidation therapy for acute myeloid leukemia, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved labeling recommends a starting dose of granulocyte-CSF (filgrastim, Neupogen) of 5 micrograms per kilogram per day (mcg/kg/day).  Doses may be increased in increments of 5 mcg/kg for each chemotherapy cycle, according to the duration and severity of the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) nadir.  In phase III clinical trials, effective doses were 4 to 8 mcg/kg/day. Neupogen (filgrastim) should not be administered earlier than 24 hours after cytotoxic chemotherapy or within 24 hours before chemotherapy. Administer Neupogen (filgrastim) daily for up to two weeks until the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) has reached 10,000/cubic millimeter (mm³) after the expected chemotherapy-induced neutrophil nadir. Discontinue Neupogen (filgrastim) if the ANC surpasses 10,000/mm³ after the expected neutrophil nadir.

In adult cancer patients receiving bone marrow transplant, the recommended dose of Neupogen is 10 mcg/kg/day given as an intravenous infusion of 4 or 24 hours, or as a continuous 24-hour subcutaneous infusion.  The first dose should be administered at least 24 hours after cytotoxic chemotherapy or after bone marrow infusion. The daily dose of Neupogen (filgrastim) is titrated against the absolute neutrophil count during the period of neutrophil recovery, according to the guidelines in the Prescribing Information.

The recommended dose of Neupogen for the mobilization of peripheral blood progenitor cells is 10 mcg/kg/day subcutaneously, either as a bolus or a continuous infusion, given for at least 4 days before the first leukapheresis procedure and continued until the last leukapheresis. 

The recommended daily starting dose for congenital neutropenia is 6 mcg/kg twice-daily subcutaneously every day and for idiopathic or cyclic neutropenia is 5 mcg/kg as a single injection subcutaneously every day. Chronic daily administration is required to maintain clinical benefit. Absolute neutrophil count should not be used as the sole indication of efficacy. The dose should be individually adjusted based on the members’ clinical course as well as absolute neutrophil count (ANC).

The recommended dose of Neupogen for patients acutely exposed to myelosuppressive doses of radiation is 10 mcg/kg/day by subcutaneous injection. Administer as soon as possible after suspected or confirmed exposure to radiation doses greater than 2 gray (Gy).

Other than for peripheral blood progenitor cell re-infusion, CSFs should be administered subcutaneously or intravenously no earlier than 24 hours and preferably between 24 and 72 hours after the administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy to provide optimal neutrophil recovery.  Therapy should be discontinued if the absolute neutrophil count surpasses 10,000/mm3 after the expected chemotherapy-induced nadir.  Starting CSFs up to 5 days after peripheral blood progenitor cell re-infusion is reasonable based on available clinical data.

Neupogen (filgrastim) should not be utilized in the following:

• Routine use as prophylaxis in member/chemotherapy regimens without significant risk of febrile neutropenia or in members that are not receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy.
• Members with known hypersensitivity to E coli‐derived proteins, filgrastim, or any component of the product.

Zarxio

Zarxio (filgrastim‐sndz) is a human granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF), produced by recombinant DNA technology.

1. To decrease the incidence of infection‚ as manifested by febrile neutropenia‚in patients with nonmyeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive anticancer drugs associated with a significant incidence of severe neutropenia with fever;
2. Reducing the time to neutrophil recovery and the duration of fever; following induction or consolidation chemotherapy treatment of adults with AML;
3. To reduce the duration of neutropenia and neutropenia‐related clinical sequelae (e.g., febrile neutropenia) in patients with nonmyeloid malignancies undergoing myeloablative chemotherapy followed by marrow transplantation;
4. Mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells into the peripheral blood for collection by leukapheresis; and
5. For chronic administration to reduce the incidence and duration of sequelae of neutropenia (e.g. fever‚ infections‚ oropharyngeal ulcers) in symptomatic patients with congenital neutropenia‚ cyclic neutropenia‚ or idiopathic neutropenia.

Filgrastim‐sndz is available as Zarxio 300mcg and 480mcg prefilled syringes.

Febrile Neutropenia Prophylaxis, In non‐myeloid malignancies following myelosuppressive chemotherapy: The usual starting dose of Zarxio (filgrastim‐sndz) is 5 micrograms/kilogram (mcg/kg)/day (rounded to the nearest vial size based on institution‐defined weight limits) administered as a single daily injection by SC bolus injection‚ by short IV infusion (15 to 30 minutes)‚or by continuous SC or continuous IV infusion in cancer patients receiving myelosuppressive therapy. Doses may be increased in increments of 5 mcg/kg/day for each cycle according to the duration and severity of the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) nadir. In phase III clinical trials, effective doses were 4 to 8 mcg/kg/day. Zarxio (filgrastim‐sndz) should not be administered earlier than 24 hours after cytotoxic chemotherapy or within 24 hours before chemotherapy. Administer Zarxio (filgrastim‐sndz) daily for up to two weeks until the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) has reached 10,000/cubic millimeter (mm³ after the expected chemotherapyinduced neutrophil nadir. Discontinue Zarxio (filgrastim‐sndz) if the ANC surpasses 10,000/mm³after the expected neutrophil nadir.

Febrile Neutropenia Prophylaxis, In members with acute myeloid leukemia receiving chemotherapy: The usual starting dose of Zarxio (filgrastim‐sndz) is 5 micrograms/kilogram (mcg/kg)/day (rounded to the nearest vial size based on institution‐defined weight limits) administered as a single daily injection by SC bolus injection‚by short IV infusion (15 to 30 minutes)‚or by continuous SC or continuous IV infusion in cancer patients receiving myelosuppressive therapy. Doses may be increased in increments of 5 mcg/kg/day for each cycle according to the duration and severity of the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) nadir. In phase III clinical trials, effective doses were 4 to 8 mcg/kg/day. Zarxio (filgrastim‐sndz) should not be administered earlier than 24 hours after cytotoxic chemotherapy or within 24 hours before chemotherapy. Administer filgrastim daily for up to two weeks until the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) has reached 10,000/cubic millimeter (mm³ after the expected chemotherapy‐induced neutrophil nadir. Discontinue Zarxio (filgrastim‐sndz) if the ANC surpasses 10,000/mm³ after the expected neutrophil nadir.

Febrile Neutropenia Prophylaxis, In non‐myeloid malignancies following progenitor‐cell transplantation: In cancer members receiving myeloablative therapy with bone marrow transplant, a starting dose of 10 micrograms/kilogram/day (rounded to the nearest vial size based on institution‐defined weight limits) as an intravenous infusion of four or 24 hours is recommended with dose titration against the neutrophil response. Zarxio (filgrastimsndz) should be administered at least 24 hours after cytotoxic chemotherapy, and at least 24 hours after bone marrow infusion. The daily dose of Zarxio (filgrastim‐sndz) during the period of neutrophil recovery should be titrated against the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) according to the instructions in the Prescribing Information.

Harvesting of peripheral blood stem cells: Zarxio (filgrastim‐sndz) 10 mcg/kg/day (rounded to the nearest vial size based on institution‐defined weight limits) SC as a bolus or continuous infusion, given at least four days before first leukapheresis and continued until the last leukapheresis.

Neutropenic disorder, chronic (Severe), Symptomatic: The recommended starting dose for congenital neutropenia is 6 mcg/kg (rounded to the nearest vial size based on institution‐defined weight limits) twice daily subcutaneously every day. The recommended starting dose for idiopathic or cyclic neutropenia is 5mcg/kg (rounded to the nearest vial size based on institution‐defined weight limits) as a single injection subcutaneously every day. Chronic daily administration is required to maintain clinical benefit. Absolute neutrophil count should not be used as the sole indication of efficacy.The dose should be individually adjusted based on the members’clinical course as well as absolute neutrophil count (ANC).

Zarxio (filgrastim‐sndz) should not be utilized in the following:

• Routine use as prophylaxis in member/chemotherapy regimens without significant risk of febrile neutropenia or in members that are not receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy
• Members with known hypersensitivity to filgrastim or pegfilgrastim.

Granix

Granix (tbo-filgrastim) is a human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), produced by recombinant DMA technology. Granix (tbo-filtrastim) is indicated to decrease the duration of severe neutropenia in patients with non-myeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive anti-cancer drugs associated with clinically significant incidence of febrile neutropenia.

Tbo-filgrastim is avaiilable as Granix 300 mcg and 480 mcg prefilled syringes.

Febrile neutropenia prophylaxis, in non-myeloid malignancies following myelosuppressive chemotherapy: The usual starting dose of Granix (tbo-filgrastim) is 5 micrograms/kilogram (mcg/kg)/day administered as a subcutaneous injection. Granix (tbo-filgrastim) should not be administered earlier than 24 hours after cytotoxic chemotherapy or within 24 hours before chemotherapy. Administer Granix (tbo-filgrastim) daily until the expected neutropnil nadir is passed and the neutrophil count has recovered to the normal range. Monitor complete blood count (CPC) prior to chemotherapy and twice per week until recovery.

Granix (tbo-filgrastim) should not be used in the following:

• Routine use as prophylaxis in member/chemotherapy regimens without significant risk of febrile neutropenia or in members that are not receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy.
• Members with known hypersensitivity to E. coli-derived proteins, tbo-filgrastim, or any component of the product.

Leukine

Leukine (sargramostim) is a recombinant human granulocyte‐macrophage colony stimulating factor (rhu GM‐CSF) produced by recombinant DNA technology in a yeast (S. cerevisiae) expression system. GM‐CSF is a hematopoietic growth factor which stimulates proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells. Leukine (sargramostim) is a glycoprotein of 127 amino acids characterized by three primary molecular species having molecular masses of 19,500, 16,800 and 15,500 daltons. The amino acid sequence of Leukine (sargramostim) differs from the natural human GM‐CSF by a substitution of leucine at position 23, and the carbohydrate moiety may be different from the native protein. The liquid Leukine (sargramostim) presentation is formulated as a sterile, preserved (1.1% benzyl alcohol), injectable solution (500 mcg/mL) in a vial. Biological potency is expressed in International Units (IU) as tested against the WHO First International Reference Standard.

GM‐CSF is a protein secreted by macrophages, T cells, mast cells, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts. It functions as a white blood cell growth factor and stimulates stem cells to produce granulocytes and monocytes. Prophylaxis of febrile neutropenia in cancer members‐the incidence of febrile neutopenia in patients receiving chemotherapy varies based on the regimen.

1. Use following induction chemotherapy in acute myelogenous leukemia;
2. Use in mobilization and following transplantation of autologous peripheral blood progenitor cells;
3. Use in myeloid reconstitution after autologous or
4. Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation; and
5. Use in bone marrow transplantation failure or engraftment delay.
6. To increase survival in adult and pediatric patients acutely exposed to myelosuppressive doses of radiation (Hematopoietic Syndrome of Acute Radiation Syndrome, or H-ARS).

Sargramostim is available as Leukine 500mcg single dose vials and as lyophilized Leukine powder in vials containing 250 mcg. The recommended dosage for granulocyte-macrophage-CSF (sargramostim, Leukine) is 250 mcg/m2/day for all clinical settings.

For myeloid reconstitution of allogeneic, HLA‐matched related donors, two to four hours after bone marrow infusion (allogeneic) and not less than 24 hours after the last dose of chemo‐ or radiotherapy, administer Leukine (sargramostim) 250 micrograms/square meter/day intravenously over two hours. Continue therapy until the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is greater than 1500 cells/cubic millimeter for three consecutive days. In the event of a severe adverse reaction, the dose may be reduced by 50% or discontinued temporarily. If the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) exceeds 20,000 cells/cubic millimeter, interrupt therapy or reduce the dose by 50%. Do not administer sargramostim until the post marrow infusion absolute neutrophil count is less than 500 cells/cubic millimeter. Discontinue sargramostim immediately if blast cells appear or disease progression occurs. Continuous intravenous infusions appear to be superior to both intravenous bolus injections and short intravenous infusions (Herrmann et al, 1989a; Rifkin et al, 1988). In some studies, daily intravenous bolus injections have not been effective in producing leukocytosis. It is possible that WBC CSF increases the risk of GvHD when given following allogeneic bone marrow or PBSC transplant.

For myeloid reconstitution in non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and acute lymphoblastic lymphoma, two to four hours after bone marrow infusion (autologous) and not less than 24 hours after the last dose of chemo‐ or radiotherapy, administer Leukine (sargramostim) 250 micrograms/square meter/day intravenously over two hours. Continue therapy until the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is greater than 1500 cells/cubic millimeter for three consecutive days. In the event of a severe adverse reaction, the dose may be reduced by 50% or discontinued temporarily. If the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) exceeds 20,000 cells/cubic millimeter, interrupt therapy or reduce the dose by 50%. Do not administer sargramostim until the post marrow infusion absolute neutrophil count is less than 500 cells/cubic millimeter. Discontinue sargramostim immediately if blast cells appear or disease progression occurs. Continuous intravenous infusions appear to be superior to both intravenous bolus injections and short intravenous infusions (Herrmann et al, 1989a; Rifkin et al, 1988). In some studies, daily intravenous bolus injections have not been effective in producing leukocytosis.

For delay or failure of myeloid engraftment, administer Leukine (sargramostim) 250 micrograms/square meter (mcg/m (2)/day as a two‐hour intravenous (IV) infusion for 14 days. If engraftment has not occurred after seven days off therapy, the dose can be repeated. If engraftment has still not occurred after another seven days off therapy, a third course of 500mcg/m (2)/day IV for 14 days may be given. Further dose escalation is unlikely to be beneficial. Reduce the dose by 50% or temporarily discontinue if a severe reaction occurs (respiratory distress, hypoxia, flushing, hypotension, syncope, and/or tachycardia). If the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) exceeds 20,000 cells/cubic millimeter (mm (3), hold Leukine (sargramostim) therapy and reduce the dose by 50%. Discontinue immediately if blast cells appear or if disease progression occurs. It is possible that WBC CSF increases the risk of GvHD when given following allogeneic bone marrow or pbsc transplant.

For febrile neutropenia prophylaxis in acute myelogenous leukemia, if on day ten (from the start of chemotherapy) the bone marrow is hypoplastic with less than 5% blasts, administer Leukine (sargramostim) 250 microgram/square meter/day intraveneously beginning on or about day 11 or four days following the completion of induction chemotherapy for AML. Continue Leukine (sargramostim) until the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is greater than 1500 cells/cubic millimeter for three consecutive days or a maximum of 42 days. If a second cycle of induction chemotherapy is required, administer Leukine (sargramostim) approximately four days following the completion of chemotherapy if the bone marrow is hypoplastic with less than 5% blasts. Discontinue Leukine (sargramostim) immediately if leukemic regrowth occurs. In the event of a severe adverse reaction, the dose may be reduced by 50% or discontinued temporarily. If the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) exceeds 20,000 cells/cubic millimeter, interrupt therapy or reduce the dose by 50%. Continuous intravenous infusions appear to be superior to both intravenous bolus injections and short intravenous infusions. Twice daily subcutaneous administration of sargramostim was more effective than a daily two‐hour intravenous infusion.

Harvesting of peripheral blood stem cells: Administer Leukine (sargramostim) 250 micrograms/square meter/day as a 24‐hour intravenous infusion or subcutaneously once daily. Continue dosing through the period of peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) collection. Although the optimal schedule for collection of PBPC has not been established, PBPC collection in clinical trials has usually started on day five and performed daily until the specified targets were attained. Reduce the dose of Leukine (sargramostim) by 50% if the white blood cell count is greater than 50,000 cells/cubic millimeter. Consider other mobilization therapy if adequate numbers of progenitor cells are not collected.

Peripheral blood stem cell graft, autologous, myeloid reconstitution following transplant in members mobilized with granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor: 250 mcg/m(2)/day IV over 24 hr or subcutaneously once daily; begin immediately following peripheral blood progenitor cell infusion and continue until the absolute neutrophil count is greater than 1500 cells/mm(3) for three consecutive days.

Febrile neutropenia prophylaxis, in non‐myeloid malignancies following myelosuppressive chemotherapy: 250 mcg/m2/day administered intravenously or subcutaneously once daily for up to 14 days, although optimal dosing has not been defined.

Treatment of severe febrile neutropenia: The recommended dose is 250 mcg/m2/day, administered intravenously or subcutaneously once daily until neutrophil recovery, although optimal dosing has not been defined.

Neutropenia in myelodysplastic syndromes: In members with myelodysplastic syndrome, increases in granulocyte counts, monocyte counts, and reticulocyte counts were reported with Leukine (sargramostim) in intravenous doses of 15 to 480 micrograms/square meter (mcg/m(2)/day. Sargramostim was administered as a one‐hour or four‐hour infusion daily for seven days, or as a 12‐hour infusion for 14 days. Sargramostim has also been given subcutaneously. Detectable increases in these blood counts were observed with the lowest doses; however, the largest response occurred in members treated with 240 to 480 mcg/m2/day, although optimal dosing has not been defined.

Dose Adjustments

• Hematologic: hold therapy or decrease dose by half if the absolute neutrophil count is >20,000 cells/mm3 or the platelet count is >500,000/mm3
• Respiratory: patients experiencing dyspnea during therapy should have the infusion rate reduced by half; if symptoms worsen, discontinue the infusion.
• Severe reaction: discontinue Leukine (sargramostim) immediately for serious allergic or anaphylactic reactions; initiate appropriate therapy.

No recommendation can be made regarding the equivalency of Neupogen (filgrastim) and Leukine (sargramostim).

The liquid sargramostim formulation has been reintroduced into the United States market after an upward trend of reports of adverse effects, including syncope (with or without documented hypotension), which coincided with a change in the liquid sargramostim formulation to include edetate disodium (EDTA). The EDTA has since been removed from the currently available formulation.

Leukine should not be used in the following:

• In patients with excessive leukemic myeloid blasts in the bone marrow or peripheral blood (≥10%).
• Safety and efficacy not established in pediatric patients.
• In patients with known hypersensitivity to GM‐CSF, yeast derived products, or any component of the product.

Neulasta

Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) is a covalent conjugate of recombinant methionyl human G‐CSF (filgrastim) and monomethoxypolyethylene glycol. Both filgrastim and Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) are colony stimulating factors that act on hematopoietic cells by binding to specific cell surface receptors thereby stimulating proliferation, differentiation, commitment, and end cell functional activation.

Neulasta (pegfilgrastim), a long acting version of Neupogen (filgrastim), is administered once per chemotherapy cycle.  It is approved by the FDA to decrease the incidence of infection, as manifested by FN, in patients with non-myeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive anti-cancer drugs associated with a clinically significant incidence of FN. Neulasta is also approved for use in patients acutely exposed to myelosuppressive doses of radiation (Hematopoietic Subsyndrome of Acute Radiation Syndrome). Neulasta is not labeled for use in myeloid malignancies -- leukemias and lymphomas -- because there is concern that it may stimulate the tumor cells to grow and it is not currently indicated for stem cell mobilization.

In patients with cancer receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy, pegfilgrastim was evaluated in three randomized, double-blind, controlled studies. Studies 1 and 2 were active-controlled studies that employed doxorubicin 60 mg/m2 and docetaxel 75 mg/m2 administered every 21 days for up to 4 cycles for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Study 1 investigated the utility of a fixed dose of pegfilgrastim. Study 2 employed a weight-adjusted dose. In the absence of growth factor support, similar chemotherapy regimens have been reported to result in a 100% incidence of severe neutropenia (ANC < 0.5 x 109/L) with a mean duration of 5 to 7 days and a 30% to 40% incidence of febrile neutropenia. Based on the correlation between the duration of severe neutropenia and the incidence of febrile neutropenia found in studies with filgrastim, duration of severe neutropenia was chosen as the primary endpoint in both studies, and the efficacy of pegfilgrastim was demonstrated by establishing comparability to filgrastim-treated patients in the mean days of severe neutropenia. In Study 1, 157 patients were randomized to receive a single subcutaneous injection of pegfilgrastim (6 mg) on day 2 of each chemotherapy cycle or daily subcutaneous filgrastim (5 mcg/kg/day) beginning on day 2 of each chemotherapy cycle. In Study 2, 310 patients were randomized to receive a single subcutaneous injection of pegfilgrastim (100 mcg/kg) on day 2 or daily subcutaneous filgrastim (5 mcg/kg/day) beginning on day 2 of each chemotherapy cycle. Both studies met the major efficacy outcome measure of demonstrating that the mean days of severe neutropenia of pegfilgrastim-treated patients did not exceed that of filgrastim-treated patients by more than 1 day in cycle 1 of chemotherapy. The mean days of cycle 1 severe neutropenia in Study 1 were 1.8 days in the pegfilgrastim arm compared to 1.6 days in the filgrastim arm [difference in means 0.2 (95% CI -0.2, 0.6)] and in Study 2 were 1.7 days in the pegfilgrastim arm compared to 1.6 days in the Filgrastim arm [difference in means 0.1 (95% CI -0.2, 0.4)]. A secondary endpoint in both studies was days of severe neutropenia in cycles 2 through 4 with results similar to those for cycle 1.

Study 3 was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that employed docetaxel 100 mg/m2 administered every 21 days for up to 4 cycles for the treatment of metastatic or non-metastatic breast cancer. In this study, 928 patients were randomized to receive a single subcutaneous injection of pegfilgrastim (6 mg) or placebo on day 2 of each chemotherapy cycle. Study 3 met the major trial outcome measure of demonstrating that the incidence of febrile neutropenia (defined as temperature ≥ 38.2°C and ANC ≤ 0.5 x109/L) was lower for pegfilgrastim-treated patients as compared to placebo-treated patients (1% versus 17%, respectively, p < 0.001). The incidence of hospitalizations (1% versus 14%) and IV anti-infective use (2% versus 10%) for the treatment of febrile neutropenia was also lower in the pegfilgrastim-treated patients compared to the placebo-treated patients.

Study 4 was a multicenter, randomized, open-label study to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of pegfilgrastim in pediatric and young adult patients with sarcoma. Patients with sarcoma receiving chemotherapy age 0 to 21 years were eligible. Patients were randomized to receive subcutaneous pegfilgrastim as a single dose of 100 mcg/kg (n= 37) or subcutaneous filgrastim at a dose 5 mcg/kg/day (n=6) following myelosuppressive chemotherapy. Recovery of neutrophil counts was similar in the pegfilgrastim and filgrastim groups. The most common adverse reaction reported was bone pain.

Efficacy studies of Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) could not be conducted in humans with acute radiation syndrome for ethical and feasibility reasons. Approval of this indication was based on efficacy studies conducted in animals and data supporting the use Neulasta’s (pegfilgrastim) effect on severe neutropenia in patients with cancer receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy.

According to the FDA-approved labeling, the recommended dose of Neulasta for febrile neutropenia prophylaxis is a single subcutaneous injection of 6 mg, administered once per chemotherapy cycle.  According to the labeling, Neulasta should not be administered in the period between 14 days before and 24 hours after administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy. Neulasta cannot be given more than once per chemotherapy cycle and cannot be given more often than every 14 days. Therefore, Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) should not be utilized in myelosuppressive chemotherapy regimens that are administered more frequently than every two weeks.

The recommended dose for hematopoietic subsyndrome of acute radiation syndrome is two doses of 6 mg each, administered subcutaneous injection one week apart. For dosing in pediatric patients, please refer to Full Prescribing Information. Administer the first dose as soon as possible after suspected or confirmed exposure to radiation doses greater than 2 gray (Gy). Administer the second dose one week after the first dose.

A healthcare provider must fill the On‐body Injector with Neulasta using the prefilled syringe and then apply the On‐body Injector for Neulasta to the patient’ skin (abdomen or back of arm). The back of the arm may only be used if there is a caregiver available to monitor the status of the On‐body Injector for Neulasta. Approximately 27 hours after the On‐body Injector for Neulasta is applied to the patient’ skin, Neulasta will be delivered over approximately 45 minutes. A healthcare provider may initiate administration with the On‐body Injector for Neulasta on the same day as the administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy, as long as the On‐body Injector for Neulasta delivers Neulasta no less than 24 hours after administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy. Refer to the Healthcare Provider Instructions for Use for the On‐body Injector for Neulasta for full administration information.

Per NCCN, there are insufficient data to support dose and schedule of weekly regimens of Neulasta or chemotherapy schedules less than two weeks and these cannot be recommended.

It is not recommend to split the Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) dose (to achieve <6mg dosing) due to inconformities in the pegylated mixture leading to the possibility of inaccurate dosing and increased drug wastage/cost. The 6mg formulation is not intended to be utilized in this manner by the manufacturer and these dosing strategies are not FDA approved. Alternative white blood cell colony stimulating factor formulations should be utilized when the 6mg Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) dose is viewed as supratherapeutic by the prescribing oncologist.

Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) should not be used in the following:

• Members with known hypersensitivity to E coli‐derived proteins, pegfilgrastim, or any component of the product.
• Use in myeloid malignancies (AML, CML, etc.) or Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS).
• Should not be used in infants, children, and smaller adolescents weighing less than 45 kg—pegfilgrastim is not FDA approved for pediatric use.
• Routine use as prophylaxis in members/chemotherapy regimens without significant risk of febrile neutropenia or in members that are not receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy.
• Partial doses (utilizing a portion of the 6mg dose for multiple or partial doses).
• Treatment of neutropenia or febrile neutropenia (only approved for prophylaxis).

NCCN guidelines on myeloid growth factors state that administration of pegfilgrastim next day or up to 3 to 4 days following chemotherapy is preferred; however the panel agreed that same-day administration of pegfilgrastim may be considered under certain circumstances, defined as administration of pegfilgrastim on the day during which patients receive chemotherapy. NCCN panelists stated that same-day administration is done for logistical reasons and to minimize burdens on long-distance patients. NCCN guidelines note that clinical trials both in support of and against same-day pegfilgrastim have been published. The guidelines explain that the original rationale for not giving same-day CSF was the potential for increased neutropenia resulting from CSF stimulation of myeloid progenitors at the time of cytotoxic chemotherapy. The guidelines cited a direct comparison (citing Kaufman, et al.), where pegfilgrastim was administered either same-day or next-day in women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy. Febrile neutropenia was observed in 33 percent of patients treated in the same-day group compared with only 11 percent of patients in the next-day group. The NCCN guidelines observed that a similar trend was seen in a prospective randomized double-blind trial of patients receiving chemotherapy for NHL where same-day pegfilgrastim was associated with enhanced myelosuppression and no reduction of leukopenia was seen. However, despite longer duration of grade 4 neutropenia in the same-day group, there was no increase in the overall incidence of neutropenia and the increased duration did not meet the non-inferiority margin. The guidelines noted that, while this study recommends administration of pegfilgrastim 24 hours after chemotherapy, it was acknowledged that same-day administration may be an acceptable alternative for some patients.

NCCN guidelines also described a retrospective review by Vance, et al. of same-day pegfilgrastim in patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy and no increased neutropenia was observed. The guidelines also identified a retrospective study of 159 patients with a variety of tumor types and chemotherapy regimens showing a similar incidence of myelosuppressive adverse events when comparing the two groups. A double-blind phase II study in patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with chemotherapy showed no increase in neutropenia nor any adverse events in patients receiving same-day pegfilgrastim compared to patients receiving next-day pegfilgrastim treatment. The benefit of same-day pegfilgrastim was also observed in patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with weekly chemotherapy regimens. Same day pegfilgrastim in these patients was shown to be beneficial not only from a safety perspective but also from a logistical one where next-day pegfilgrastim would have compromised the weeily chemotherapy schedule. Anotehr study in pateints with lung cancer showed an unexpected low rate of severe neutropenia (only 2 patients per group) suggesting that same-day filgrastim is a reasonable option. More recent retrospective studies in patients with gynecologic malignancies demonstrated the safety and efficacy of pegfilgrastim administered within 24 hours of chemotherapy.

Micromedex DrugDex compendium states that the use of pegfilgrastim in the period between 14 days before and 24 hours after chemotherapy is not recommended. It states that pegfilgrastim administered once on the same day as chemotherapy was shown to be noninferior to pegfilgrastim administered once 24 hours after chemotherapy for the duration of grade 4 neutropenia after the first cycle of chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma; however, the duration of grade 4 neutropenia was longer and the incidence of febrile neutropenia was higher with same-day compared with next-day administration. The Compendium cited a study by Burris, et al. that compared data on severe (grade 4) neutropenia duration and febrile neutropenia incidence in patients receiving chemotherapy with pegfilgrastim administered the same day or 24 hours after chemotherapy. Burris, et al. noted that these were similar, randomized, double-blind phase II noninferiority studies of patients with lymphoma or non-small-cell lung (NSCLC), breast, or ovarian cancer. Each study was analyzed separately. The primary end point in each study was cycle-1 severe neutropenia duration. Approximately 90 patients per study were to be randomly assigned at a ratio of 1:1 to receive pegfilgrastim 6 mg once per cycle on the day of chemotherapy or the day after (with placebo on the alternate day). The authors found that, in four studies, 272 patients received chemotherapy and one or more doses of pegfilgrastim (133 same day, 139 next day). Three studies (breast, lymphoma, NSCLC) enrolled an adequate number of patients for analysis. However, in the NSCLC study, the neutropenic rate was lower than expected (only two patients per arm experienced grade 4 neutropenia). In the breast cancer study, the mean cycle-1 severe neutropenia duration was 1.2 days (95% confidence limit [CL], 0.7 to 1.6) longer in the same-day compared with the next-day group (mean, 2.6 v 1.4 days). In the lymphoma study, the mean cycle-1 severe neutropenia duration was 0.9 days (95% CL, 0.3 to 1.4) longer in the same-day compared with the next-day group (mean, 2.1 v 1.2 days). In the breast and lymphoma studies, the absolute neutrophil count profile for same-day patients was earlier, deeper, and longer compared with that for next-day patients, although the results indicate that same-day administration was statistically noninferior to next-day administration according to neutropenia duration. The authors concluded that, for or patients receiving pegfilgrastim with chemotherapy, pegfilgrastim administered 24 hours after chemotherapy completion is recommended. 

An UpToDate review of the use of granulocyte colony stimulating factors in adult patients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (Larson, 2014) stated: "Because of the potential sensitivity of rapidly dividing myeloid cells to cytotoxic chemotherapy, growth factors should be discontinued several days before the next chemotherapy treatment and they should not be given on the same day as chemotherapy. Experience from clinical trials indicates that myelosuppression is more profound if the myeloid growth factors were given immediately prior to or on the same day as the chemotherapy. For the same reason, growth factors should not be given concurrently with radiation therapy directed at portals containing active marrow."

Hematological side effects (e.g., anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia) of combination therapy with pegylated (PEG)-interferon alfa and ribavirin are commonly encountered during antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C (HCV) (Collantes and Younossi, 2005).  An important consequence of these side effects is dose modification of PEG-interferon alfa, ribavirin, or both.  The FDA-approved product labeling of both peginterferon preparations (alfa-2a and alfa-2b) recommend dose reduction for patients with neutrophils counts less than 750 cells/mm3 and drug discontinuation for those with counts less than 500 cells/mm3.  However, there has been concern that such dose modifications will diminish the effectiveness of optimal treatment regimen for HCV and may have a negative impact on sustained virological response.

Collantes and Younossi (2005) note that the clinical implications of neutropenia or thrombocytopenia are less clear than for anemia; nevertheless, severe infection and bleeding are uncommon.  Dose adjustments effectively treat these hematological side effects, but the resulting sub-optimal dosing and potential impact on virological response are major concerns.  Recent attempts to maximize adherence to the optimal treatment regimen have used hematopoietic growth factors rather than dose adjustment to treat side effects.  Research on growth factor support has focused on anemia and neutropenia.  Erythropoietin and darbepoetin alfa are erythropoietic growth factors that effectively increase hemoglobin while maintaining the optimal ribavirin dose and improving patients' quality of life (see CPB 0195 - Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents).

CSFs should not be used for routine prophylaxis in member/chemotherapy regimens without significant risk of febrile neutropenia or in members that are not receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy. They should also not be used in persons with hypersensitivity to the product or its components or to E. coli derived proteins.

Investigators have examined the potential for adjunctive use of the granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) filgrastim to improve clinical outcomes in persons with chronic hepatitis C.  Early clinical studies found that routine co-administration of filgrastim failed to significantly enhance the sustained virologic response to interferon-based therapies in hepatitis C (Gronbaek et al, 2002; Van Thiel et al, 1995).  Clinical studies are needed to assess the effectiveness of G-CSF to treat chemotherapy induced neutropenia in hepatitis C.

Collantes and Younossi (2005) concluded that, although filgrastim shows tremendous promise for managing hematological side effects of combination therapy for HCV, and potentially enhancing adherence, further research is needed to clarify the safety, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of growth factors in the management of patients with chronic HCV.  Ong and Younossi (2004) reached similar conclusions, noting that the impact of growth factors on sustained virological response and their cost-effectiveness in patients with chronic HCV need further assessment.

The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (Dryden et al, 2008) released a report on G-CSF for antiviral-associated neutropenia.  A systematic review was used to evaluate the effect of treatment with G-CSF compared with that of interferon dose reduction to control neutropenia.  It was not superior to interferon dose reduction.  While G-CSF may enable patients to stay on or resume optimal antiviral therapy, the evidence is weak.  The mild adverse effects respond to simple treatments that alleviate symptoms.  The report concluded that it is unclear if the use of G-CSF compared with dose reduction improves sustained virological response in patients with hepatitis C and neutropenia.

Early research is examining the potential for G-CSF to enhance myocardial function in myocardial infarction (MI).  In a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase II clinical trial, Engelmann et al (2006) compared the effects of G-CSF on the improvement of MI in patients undergoing delayed percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI).  A total of 44 patients with late re-vascularized subacute STEMI were treated either with G-CSF or placebo over 5 days after successful PCI.  Primary end points were change of global and regional MI from baseline (1 week after PCI) to 3 months after PCI evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).  Secondary end points consisted of characterization of mobilized stem cell populations, assessment of safety parameters up to 12 months including 6-month angiography, as well as myocardial perfusion evaluated by MRI.  Global myocardial function from baseline (1 week after PCI) to 3 months improved in both groups, but G-CSF was not superior to placebo.  A slight but non-significant improvement of regional function occurred in both groups.  Granulocyte-CSF resulted in mobilization of endothelial progenitor cell populations and was well-tolerated with a similar rate of target lesion re-vascularization from in-stent re-stenosis.  In both groups major adverse cardiovascular events occurred in a comparable frequency; G-CSF resulted in significant improvement of myocardial perfusion 1 week and 1 month after PCI.  The authors concluded that G-CSF treatment after PCI in subacute STEMI is feasible and relatively safe.  However, patients do not benefit from G-CSF when PCI is performed late.  They noted that as a result of its phase II character, this trial is limited by its small sample size.  These investigators stated that further research should focus on immediate administration of G-CSF in early re-vascularized MI and on larger multi-center studies examining clinical outcomes.

In a meta-analysis, Abdel-Latif and colleagues (2008) examined the effects of G-CSF therapy for cardiac repair after acute MI.  These investigators searched Medline, Embase, Science Citation Index, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Central database of controlled clinical trials for randomized controlled trials of G-CSF therapy in patients with acute MI.  They conducted a fixed-effects meta-analysis across 8 eligible studies (n = 385 patients).  Compared with controls, G-CSF therapy increased LV ejection fraction (EF) by 1.09 %, increased LV scar size by 0.22 %, decreased LV end-diastolic volume by 4.26 ml, and decreased LV end-systolic volume by 2.50 ml.  None of these effects was statistically significant.  The risk of death, recurrent MI, and in-stent re-stenosis was similar in G-CSF-treated patients and controls.  Subgroup analysis revealed a modest but statistically significant increase in EF (4.73 %, p < 0.0001) with G-CSF therapy in studies that enrolled patients with mean EF less than 50 % at baseline.  Subgroup analysis also showed a significant increase in EF (4.65 %, p < 0.0001) when G-CSF was administered relatively early (less than or equal to 37 hours) after the acute event.  The authors concluded that G-CSF therapy in unselected patients with acute MI appears safe but does not provide an overall benefit.  Subgroup analyses suggested that G-CSF therapy may be salutary in acute MI patients with LV dysfunction and when started early.  They stated that larger randomized studies are needed to evaluate the potential benefits of early G-CSF therapy in acute MI patients with LV dysfunction.  This is in agreement with the findings of Zohlnhöfer et al (2008) who reported that available evidence does not support a beneficial effect of G-CSF in patients with acute MI after re-perfusion.

Beohar et al (2010) stated that cytokine therapy including G-CSF and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) promises to provide a non-invasive treatment option for ischemic heart disease.  Cytokines are thought to influence angiogenesis directly via effects on endothelial cells or indirectly through progenitor cell-based mechanisms or by activating the expression of other angiogenic agents.  Several cytokines mobilize progenitor cells from the bone marrow or are involved in the homing of mobilized cells to ischemic tissue.  The recruited cells contribute to myocardial regeneration both as a structural component of the regenerating tissue and by secreting angiogenic or anti-apoptotic factors, including cytokines.  To date, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have not reproduced the efficacy observed in pre-clinical and small-scale clinical investigations.  Nevertheless, the list of promising cytokines continues to grow, and combinations of cytokines, with or without concurrent progenitor cell therapy, warrant further investigation.  In particular, the authors stated that the mechanism of action and potential inflammatory sequelae associated with GM-CSF must be better understood and controlled before larger human trials can be considered.

A Cochrane review found insufficient evidence to support the use of G-CSF for treating stroke (Bath and Sprigg, 2006).  The investigators found that G-CSF was associated with a non-significant reduction in combined death and dependency in 2 small trials (n = 46 subjects), although there was substantial heterogeneity in this result.  These investigators concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support the use of G-CSF in the treatment of patients with recurrent stroke.

In a Cochrane review, Cheng et al (2007) examined the role of G-CSF as an adjunct to antibiotics in the treatment of pneumonia in non-neutropenic adults.  The investigators found that, when, combined with antibiotics, G-CSF appears to be a safe treatment for people with pneumonia, but it does not appear to reduce mortality.  The authors concluded that currently there is no evidence to support the routine use of G-CSF in the treatment of pneumonia.  They noted that studies in which G-CSF is administered prophylactically or earlier in therapy may be of interest.

Felty syndrome (FS) is a rare but severe subset of sero-positive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) complicated by granulocytopenia and splenomegaly; occurring in less than 1 % of patients with RA.  The granulocytopenia in FS may improve when RA is treated with second-line medications such as gold, methotrexate, and corticosteroids.  Moreover, G-CSF has been studied in the treatment of patients with FS.

Stanworth and co-workers (1998) prospectively monitored the use of G-CSF in 8 FS patients with recurrent infections or who required joint surgery.  Significant side effects were documented in 5, including nausea, malaise, generalized joint pains, and in 1 patient, a vasculitic skin rash.  In 2 patients treatment had to be stopped, and in these cases G-CSF had been started at full vial dosage (300 micrograms/ml filgrastim or 263 micrograms/ml lenograstim) alternate days or daily.  Treatment with G-CSF was continued in 3 patients by re-starting at a lower dose, and changing the proprietary formulation.  Treatment with G-CSF increased the neutrophil count, decreased severe infection, and allowed surgery to be performed.  A combined clinical and laboratory index suggested that long-term treatment (up to 3.5 years) did not exacerbate the arthritis.  Once on established treatment, it may be possible to use smaller weekly doses of G-CSF to maintain the same clinical benefit.  One of the 3 patients whose FS was associated with a large granular T-cell lymphocytosis showed a reduction in this subset of lymphocytes during G-CSF treatment.

Balint and Balint (2004) noted that over 95 % of FS patients are positive for rheumatoid factor, 47 to 100 % are positive for anti-nuclear antibody (ANA), and 78 % of patients have the HLA-DR4*0401 antigen.  Some 30 % of FS patients have large granular lymphocyte expansion.  Large granular lymphocyte expansion associated with uncomplicated RA is immunogenetically and phenotypically very similar to but clinically different from FS.  Neutropenia of FS can be effectively treated with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, the widest experience being with methotrexate.  Furthermore, results of treatment with G-CSF are encouraging.  Splenectomy results in immediate improvement of neutropenia in 80 % of the patients, but the rate of infection decreases to a lesser degree.

In a phase I study, Sato et al (2008) examined the feasibility and safety of immuno-embolization with GM-CSF; sargramostim for malignant liver tumors, predominantly hepatic metastases from patients with primary uveal melanoma.  A total of 39 patients with surgically unresectable malignant liver tumors, including 34 patients with primary uveal melanoma, were enrolled.  Hepatic artery embolization accompanied an infusion of dose-escalated GM-CSF (25 to 2,000 microg) given every 4 weeks.  Primary end points included dose-limiting toxicity and maximum tolerated dose (MTD).  Patients who completed 2 cycles of treatments were monitored for hepatic anti-tumor response.  Survival rates of patients were also monitored.  Maximum tolerated dose was not reached up to the dose level of 2,000 microg, and there were no treatment-related deaths.  A total of 31 assessable patients with uveal melanoma demonstrated 2 complete responses, 8 partial responses, and 10 occurrences of stable disease in their hepatic metastases.  The  median overall survival of intent-to-treat patients who had metastatic uveal melanoma was 14.4 months.  Multi-variate analyses indicated that female sex, high doses of GM-CSF (greater than or equal to 1,500 microg), and regression of hepatic metastases (complete and partial responses) were correlated to longer overall survival.  Moreover, high doses of GM-CSF were associated with prolonged progression-free survival in extra-hepatic sites.  The authors concluded that immuno-embolization with GM-CSF is safe and feasible in patients with hepatic metastasis from primary uveal melanoma.  Encouraging preliminary efficacy and safety results warrant additional clinical study in metastatic uveal melanoma.

Daud et al (2008) conducted a prospective trial in patients with high-risk (stage III B/C, IV), resected melanoma, with GM-CSF 125 microg/m(2)/d administered for 14 days every 28 days.  Patients underwent clinical restaging every 4 cycles, with dendritic cells (DCs) analysis performed at baseline and at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks.  Of 42 patients enrolled, 39 were assessable for clinical outcome and DC analysis.  Median overall survival was 65 months (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 43 to 67 months) and recurrence-free survival was 5.6 months (95 % CI: 3 to 11 months).  Treatment with GM-CSF caused an increase in mature DCs, first identified after 2 weeks of treatment, normalizing by 4 weeks.  Patients with decreased DCs at baseline had significant increases in DC number and function compared with those with "normal" parameters at baseline.  No change was observed in the number of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs).  Early recurrence (less than 90 days) correlated with a decreased effect of GM-CSF on host DCs, compared with late or no (evidence of) recurrence.  The authors concluded that GM-CSF treatment was associated with a transient increase in mature DCs, but not MDSCs.  Greater increase of DCs was associated with remission or delayed recurrence.  The prolonged overall survival observed warrants further exploration.

In a phase I study, Lutzky et al (2009) evaluated the safety and tolerability of adjuvant treatment with subcutaneous GM-CSF administered in combination with escalating doses of thalidomide in patients with surgically resected stage II (T4), III, or IV melanoma at high risk for recurrence.  Adjuvant treatment included GM-CSF 125 microg/m2 subcutaneously for 14 days and thalidomide at an initial dose of 50 mg/d, escalated in cohorts of 3 to 6 patients each to a maximum of 400 mg/day followed by 14 days of rest.  Treatment was continued for up to 1 year in the absence of disease progression.  Of 19 patients treated, the most common toxicities were grade 1/2 constipation (68 %), fatigue (58 %), neuropathy (42 %), bone and joint pain (37 %), and dyspnea, dizziness, injection site skin reaction, and somnolence (32 % each).  Thrombotic events in 3 of 19 patients (16 %), including 1 treatment-related death, were the most serious adverse events and were thought to be due to thalidomide.  With a median follow-up of 945 days (2.6 years), 8 (42 %) patients were alive, including 1 with disease and 7 without evidence of disease.  Treatment with GM-CSF plus thalidomide for patients with resected high-risk melanoma was associated with a high incidence of thrombotic events.  Because life-threatening events are unacceptable in the adjuvant setting, up-front anti-thrombotic prophylaxis will be necessary for further evaluation of GM-CSF plus thalidomide as a viable regimen in this patient group.

In a phase I-II study, Urba and colleagues (2008) evaluated the safety, clinical activity and immunogenicity of an immunotherapy developed from human prostate cancer cell lines (PC-3 and LNCaP) modified to secrete GM-CSF.  Patients with non-castrate prostate cancer with biochemical (prostate specific antigen) recurrence following prostatectomy or radiation therapy and no radiological evidence of metastasis were enrolled in the study (n = 19).  They were injected with an initial dose of 5 x 10(8) cells followed by 12 bi-weekly administrations of 1 x 10(8) cells.  The adverse event profile, prostate specific antigen (PSA) response, changes in PSA kinetics and immunogenicity were assessed.  Immunotherapy was well-tolerated with no serious treatment related adverse events and no autoimmune reactions.  A negative deflection in PSA slope was observed in 84 % of patients after treatment with a significant increase in median PSA doubling time from 28.7 weeks before treatment to 57.1 weeks after treatment (p = 0.0095).  Median time to PSA progression was 9.7 months.  Immunoblot analysis of patient serum demonstrated new or enhanced production of PC-3 or LNCaP reactive antibodies in 15 of 19 (79 %) patients after immunotherapy.  Induction of antibody responses reactive against PC-3 in general, and to the PC-3 associated filamin-B protein specifically, were positively associated with treatment associated changes in PSA kinetics.  The authors concluded that GM-CSF secreting cellular immunotherapy has a favorable toxicity profile with signals of clinical and immunological activity against hormone naïve prostate cancer.  An association between immune response and PSA changes was observed.  Phase 3 trials in patients with advanced, metastatic, hormone refractory prostate cancer are under way.

In an open-label, multi-center, dose-escalation study, Higano and associates (2008) assessed multiple dose levels of immunotherapy in patients with metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC).  The immunotherapy, based on the GVAX (prostate cancer vaccine) platform, consisted of 2 allogeneic prostate-carcinoma cell lines modified to secrete GM-CSF.  Dose levels ranged from 100 x 10(6) cells q28d x 6 to 500 x 10(6) cells prime/300 x 10(6) cells boost q14d x 11.  Endpoints included safety, immunogenicity, overall survival, radiologic response, PSA kinetics, and serum GM-CSF pharmacokinetics.  A total of 80 men, median age of 69 years (range of 49 to 90 years), were treated.  The most common adverse effect was injection-site erythema.  Overall, the immunotherapy was well-tolerated.  A maximal tolerated dose was not established.  The median survival time was 35.0 months in the high-dose group, 20.0 months in the mid-dose, group, and 23.1 months in the low-dose group.  Prostate specific antigen stabilization occurred in 15 (19 %) patients, and a greater than 50 % decline in PSA was seen in 1 patient.  The proportion of patients who generated an antibody response to 1 or both cell lines increased with dose and included 10 of 23 (43 %) in the low-dose group, 13 of 18 (72 %) in the mid-dose group, and 16 of 18 (89 %) in the high-dose group (p = 0.002; Cochran-Armitage trend test).  The authors concluded that this immunotherapy was well-tolerated; immunogenicity and overall survival varied by dose.  They also noted that 2 phase III clinical trials in patients with metastatic HRPC are underway.

Si et al (2009) examined the effects of combined cryoablation and GM-CSF treatment for metastatic hormone refractory prostate cancer.  A total of 12 patients with metastatic hormone refractory prostate cancer were treated by combining cryoablation and GM-CSF administration.  Besides PSA measurements, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were also obtained; the frequency of tumor-specific T cells was tested ex vivo in an interferon-gamma enzyme-linked immunospot assay after stimulating with autologous prostate cancer-derived protein lysates.  To assess cytolytic activity, T cells were co-incubated with LNCaP or renal cancer cells (GRC-1), and release of cytosolic adenylate kinase was measured by a luciferase assay.  The median PSA decline percentage was 69.4 % (range of 30.5 % to 92.5 %) and the median time to the nadir PSA was 4 months after therapy (range of 3 to 6 months).  The median time to disease progress was 18 months, and 1 patient obtained a 92.5 % PSA decline and a greater than 50 % reduction of lung disease and survived 31 months.  Four or 8 weeks after treatment, the tumor-specific T-cell responses were increased in peripheral blood mononuclear cell.  The cytolytic activity against LNCaP was also increased significantly whereas no response was found against GRC-1.  It seemed that there was no direct correlation between the degree of T-cell response and decline in PSA.  The authors suggested that combined cryoablation with GM-CSF treatment may be an alternative approach for metastatic hormone refractory prostate cancer.

Amato and colleagues (2009) evaluated the effectiveness of GM-CSF in combination with thalidomide on PSA reduction in hormone-naïve prostate carcinoma (HNPC) patients with rising PSA levels after definitive local treatment.  Patients (n = 21) with evidence of progression demonstrated by 3 consecutive rises in PSA and no evidence of radiographic involvement were treated on a chronic dosing schedule with GM-CSF.  They received 250 microg/m2 (maximum 500 microg) 3 times a week by subcutaneous injection, with injections at least 24 hours apart.  Thalidomide administration began concurrently with an initial dose of 100 mg daily for 7 consecutive days.  During week 2 to 4, the dose was escalated every 7 days by 100 mg per individual tolerance to a maximum of 400 mg.  The maximum tolerated dose of thalidomide was continued without interruption.  Prostate specific antigen, testosterone, and routine laboratory parameters were measured every 6 weeks.  One patient was not evaluable because of non-compliance.  For the 20 evaluable patients, baseline PSA levels ranged from 1.3 to 61.0 ng/ml.  A total of 19 patients left the study at 3.0 to 33.3 months, secondary to individual tolerance, progressive disease, or development of a second primary tumor.  One patient continues to receive therapy at 33.8 months.  Two patients did not respond to the therapy.  For the 18 patients who did respond, the median reduction in PSA level was 59 % (range of 26 % to 89 %), and the median duration of response was 11 months (range of 4.5 to 36 months).  Grades 1-2 toxicity included peripheral neuropathy, fatigue, skin rash, and constipation.  One patient had deep-vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism.  The authors concluded that GM-CSF plus thalidomide can be administered successfully with encouraging anti-tumor activity and reversible toxicity.  This may represent an alternative to hormonal therapy.

Battiwalla and McCarthy (2009) noted that the cytokine G-CSF stimulates myeloid progenitors and is routinely used to accelerate neutrophil recovery in the treatment of hematological malignancy and blood or marrow transplantation.  Despite significant reductions in the frequency and duration of FN episodes, infections and the length of hospitalization, filgrastim has never been conclusively proven to produce a survival benefit in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and is considered a supportive measure.  These investigators analyzed the conflicting evidence and appraised the utility of G-CSF in allogeneic HSCT.  They concluded that G-CSF administration following allogeneic HSCT needs to take into consideration the impact on immune reconstitution, risk of leukemic progression in patients with chromosome 7 abnormalities and the absence of proven benefit in patients receiving marrow or peripheral blood progenitors as the stem cell source.  The authors also noted that although there is conflicting evidence whether the administration of G-CSF post allogeneic transplant worsens survival, there is no apparent benefit.

In a single-blind, multi-center, RCT, Carr and associates (2009) examined if GM-CSF administered as prophylaxis to pre-term neonates at high-risk of neutropenia would reduce sepsis, mortality, and morbidity.  A total of 280 neonates of below or equal to 31 weeks' gestation and below the 10th centile for birth weight were randomized within 72 hrs of birth to receive GM-CSF 10 microg/kg per day subcutaneously for 5 days or standard management.  From recruitment to day 28, a detailed daily clinical record form was completed by the treating clinicians.  Primary outcome was sepsis-free survival to 14 days from trial entry.  Analysis was by intention-to-treat.  Neutrophil counts after trial entry rose significantly more rapidly in infants treated with GM-CSF than in control infants during the first 11 days (difference between neutrophil count slopes 0.34 x 10(9)/L/day; 95 % CI: 0.12 to 0.56).  There was no significant difference in sepsis-free survival for all infants (93 of 139 treated infants, 105 of 141 control infants; difference -8 %, 95 % CI: -18 to 3).  A meta-analysis of this trial and previous published prophylactic trials showed no survival benefit.  The authors concluded that early post-natal prophylactic GM-CSF corrects neutropenia but does not reduce sepsis or improve survival and short-term outcomes in extremely pre-term neonates.

In a meta-analysis, Bo et al (2011) examined the effects of G-CSF or GM-CSF therapy in non-neutropenic patients with sepsis.  A systematic literature search of Medline, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was conducted using specific search terms.  A manual review of references was also performed.  Eligible studies were RCTs that compared G-CSF or GM-CSF therapy with placebo for the treatment of sepsis in adults.  Main outcome measures were all-cause mortality at 14 days and 28 days after initiation of G-CSF or GM-CSF therapy, in-hospital mortality, reversal rate from infection, and adverse events.  A total of 12 RCTs with 2,380 patients were identified.  In regard to 14-day mortality, a total of 9 death events occurred among 71 patients (12.7 %) in the treatment group compared with 13 events among 67 patients (19.4 %) in the placebo groups.  Meta-analysis showed there was no significant difference in 28-day mortality when G-CSF or GM-CSF were compared with placebo (relative risks (RR) = 0.93, 95 % CI: 0.79 to 1.11, p = 0.44; p for heterogeneity = 0.31, I2 = 15 %).  Compared with placebo, G-CSF or GM-CSF therapy did not significantly reduce in-hospital mortality (RR = 0.97, 95 % CI: 0.69 to 1.36, p = 0.86; p for heterogeneity = 0.80, I2 = 0 %).  However, G-CSF or GM-CSF therapy significantly increased the reversal rate from infection (RR = 1.34, 95 % CI: 1.11 to 1.62, p = 0.002; p for heterogeneity = 0.47, I2 = 0 %).  No significant difference was observed in adverse events between groups (RR = 0.93, 95 % CI: 0.70 to 1.23, p = 0.62; p for heterogeneity = 0.03, I2 = 58 %).  Sensitivity analysis by excluding one trial did not significantly change the results of adverse events (RR = 1.05, 95 % CI: 0.84 to 1.32, p = 0.44; p for heterogeneity = 0.17, I2 = 36 %).  The authors concluded that there is no current evidence supporting the routine use of G-CSF or GM-CSF in patients with sepsis.  They stated that large prospective multi-center clinical trials investigating monocytic HLA-DR (mHLA-DR)-guided G-CSF or GM-CSF therapy in patients with sepsis-associated immunosuppression are needed.

Granulocyte-CSF is used to mobilize CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells from the bone marrow to the peripheral blood.  In a pilot study, Nefussy et al (2010) examined the use cell subsets induced by G-CSF to slow down disease progression in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).  Patients with definite or probable ALS were assigned in a double-blind manner to receive G-CSF or placebo every 3 months for 1 year.  The primary outcome measure was the functional decline, measured by the revised ALS Functional Rating Scale, Revised (ALSFRS-R) score.  Secondary outcome measures included vital capacity, manual muscle strength, compound muscle action potential amplitudes, neurophysiological index, and McGill single item quality of life score (QoL).  A total of 39 patients were enrolled.  Seventeen patients who received G-CSF and 18 who received placebo were evaluated.  Granulocyte-CSF was effective in mobilizing CD34+ to blood.  The outcome measures used showed no statistically significant benefit, although there was a trend of slowing disease progression following 2 G-CSF treatments, as shown by lower slopes of ALSFRS-R and QoL in the first 6 treatment months.  The treatment had no major side-effects.  The authors concluded that G-CSF administration in ALS patients caused successful mobilization of autologous bone marrow cells, but was not effective in slowing down disease deterioration.

1. assessed drug therapy for the management of CRF compared to placebo, usual care or a non-pharmacological intervention,
2. RCTs, and
3. adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of cancer. 

Two review authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data.  Meta-analyses were performed on different drug classes using continuous variable data.  A total of 50 studies met the inclusion criteria; and 6 additional studies were identified since the original review.  Only 31 of these studies involving 7,104 participants were judged to have used a sufficiently robust measure of fatigue and thus were deemed suitable for detailed analysis.  The drugs were still analyzed by class (anti-depressants, hemopoietic growth factors, progestational steroids, as well as psychostimulants).  Methylphenidate showed a small but significant improvement in fatigue over placebo (Z = 2.83; p = 0.005).  Since the publication of the original review increased safety concerns have been raised regarding erythropoietin and this can not now be recommended in practice.  The authors concluded that there is increasing evidence that psychostimulant trials provide evidence for improvement in CRF at a clinically meaningful level.  There is still a requirement for a large scale RCT of methylphenidate to confirm the preliminary results.  There are new safety data that indicates that the hemopoietic growth factors are associated with increased adverse outcomes.  These drugs can no longer be recommended in the treatment of CRF.

In a multi-center RCT, Korzenik et al (2005) investigated the effectiveness of sargramostim in treating Crohn's disease.  A total of 124 patients with moderate-to-severe active Crohn's disease were randomly assigned to receive 6 µg of sargramostim per kilogram of body weight per day or placebo subcutaneously for 56 days using a 2:1 ratio.  The primary end point was a clinical response, defined by a decrease from baseline of at least 70 points in the Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) at the end of treatment (day 57).  Other end points included changes in disease severity and the health-related quality of life and adverse events.  There was no significant difference in the rate of the primary end point of a clinical response defined by a decrease of at least 70 points in the CDAI score on day 57 between the sargramostim and placebo groups (54 % versus 44 %, p = 0.28).  However, significantly more patients in the sargramostim group than in the placebo group reached the secondary end points of a clinical response defined by a decrease from baseline of at least 100 points in the CDAI score on day 57 (48 % versus 26 %, p = 0.01) and of remission, defined by a CDAI score of 150 points or less on day 57 (40 % versus 19 %, p = 0.01).  The rates of either type of clinical response and of remission were significantly higher in the sargramostim group than in the placebo group on day 29 of treatment and 30 days after treatment.  The sargramostim group also had significant improvements in the quality of life.  Mild-to-moderate injection-site reactions and bone pain were more common in the sargramostim group, and 3 patients in this group had serious adverse events possibly or probably related to treatment.  These investigators concluded that although this study was negative for the primary end point, findings for the secondary end points suggested that sargramostim therapy decreased disease severity and improved the quality of life in patients with active Crohn's disease.  The authors noted that the role of GM-CSF in the biology of Crohn’s disease remains to be defined.

Tbo-filgrastim, a short-acting, synthetic form of G-CSF, is a biologic response modifier that binds to stem cells in bone marrow and stimulates the production of neutrophils.  On August 29, 2012, the FDA approved the use of tbo-filgrastim (Neutroval) to reduce the duration of severe neutropenia in patients with non-myeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive anti-cancer drugs associated with a clinically significant incidence of febrile neutropenia. Tbo-filgrastim was evaluated in a clinical study of 348 adult patients with advanced breast cancer receiving treatment with the anti-cancer drugs doxorubicin and docetaxel.  Patients were randomly assigned to receive tbo-filgrastim, a placebo, or a non-U.S.-approved filgrastim product, a drug that also stimulates neutrophil production by the bone marrow.  The effectiveness of tbo-filgrastim was determined based on study results that showed that patients receiving tbo-filgrastim recovered from severe neutropenia in 1.1 days compared with 3.8 days in those receiving the placebo.

In a Cochrane review, Moazzami and associates (2013) assessed the effects of stem cell mobilization following G-CSF therapy in patients with acute MI.  These investigators searched CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library Issue 4, 2010), MEDLINE (1950 to week 3 of November 2010), EMBASE (1980 to week 48 of 2010), BIOSIS Previews (1969 to November 30, 2010), ISI Science Citation Index Expanded (1970 to December 4, 2010) and ISI Conference Proceedings Citation Index - Science (1990 to December 4, 2010). These researchers also checked reference lists of articles.  They included RCTS involving participants with a clinical diagnosis of acute MI who were randomly allocated to the subcutaneous administration of G-CSF through a daily dose of 2.5, 5 or 10 microgram/kg for 4 to 6 days or placebo.  No age or other restrictions were applied for the selection of patients.  Two authors independently selected trials, assessed trials for eligibility and methodological quality, and extracted data regarding the clinical efficacy and adverse outcomes.  Disagreements were resolved by the third author.  These investigators included 7 trials reported in 30 references in the review (354 participants).  In all trials, G-CSF was compared with placebo preparations.  Dosage of G-CSF varied among studies, ranging from 2.5 to 10 microgram/kg/day.  Regarding overall risk of bias, data regarding the generation of randomization sequence and incomplete outcome data were at a low-risk of bias; however, data regarding binding of personnel were not conclusive.  The rate of mortality was not different between the 2 groups (RR 0.64, 95 % CI: 0.15 to 2.80, p = 0.55).  Regarding safety, the limited amount of evidence is inadequate to reach any conclusions regarding the safety of G-CSF therapy.  Moreover, the results did not show any beneficial effects of G-CSF in patients with acute MI regarding left ventricular function parameters, including left ventricular ejection fraction (RR 3.41, 95 % CI: -0.61 to 7.44, p = 0.1), end systolic volume (RR -1.35, 95 % CI: -4.68 to 1.99, p = 0.43) and end diastolic volume (RR -4.08, 95 % CI: -8.28 to 0.12, p = 0.06).  It should also be noted that the study was limited since the trials included lacked long enough follow-up durations.  The authors concluded that limited evidence from small trials suggested a lack of benefit of G-CSF therapy in patients with acute MI.  Moreover, they stated that since data of the risk of bias regarding blinding of personnel were not conclusive, larger RCTs with appropriate power calculations and longer follow-up durations are needed to address current uncertainties regarding the clinical effectiveness and therapy-related adverse events of G-CSF treatment.

1. the safety and effectiveness of CSFs in people with acute or subacute ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, and
2. the effect of CSFs on circulating stem and blood cell counts. 

These investigators searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (last searched September 2012), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2012, Issue 4), MEDLINE (1985 to September 2012), EMBASE (1985 to September 2012) and Science Citation Index (1985 to September 2012).  In an attempt to identify further published, unpublished and ongoing trials, these researchers contacted manufacturers and principal investigators of trials (last contacted April 2012).  They also searched reference lists of relevant articles and reviews.  They included RCTs recruiting people with acute or subacute ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke.  Colony-stimulating factors included stem cell factor (SCF), erythropoietin (EPO), G-CSF, GM-CSF, macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF, CSF-1), thrombopoietin (TPO), or analogs of these.  The primary outcome was functional outcome at the end of the trial.  Secondary outcomes included safety at the end of treatment, death at the end of follow-up, infarct volume and hematology measures.  Two review authors independently extracted data and assessed trial quality; they contacted study authors for additional information.  These investigators included a total of 11 studies involving 1,275 participants.  In 3 trials (n = 782), EPO therapy was associated with a significant increase in death by the end of the trial (odds ratio (OR) 1.98, 9 5% CI: 1.19 to 3.3, p = 0.009) and a non-significant increase in serious adverse events.  Erythropoietin significantly increased the red cell count with no effect on platelet or white cell count, or infarct volume.  Two small trials of carbamylated EPO have been completed but have yet to be reported.  These researchers included 8 small trials (n = 548) of G-CSF.  Granulocyte-CSF was associated with a non-significant reduction in early impairment (mean difference (MD) -0.4, 95 % CI: -1.82 to 1.01, p = 0.58); but had no effect on functional outcome at the end of the trial.  Granulocyte-CSF significantly elevated the white cell count and the CD34+ cell count, but had no effect on infarct volume.  Further trials of G-CSF are ongoing.  The authors concluded that there are significant safety concerns regarding EPO therapy for stroke.  It is too early to know whether other CSFs improve functional outcome.

Poole and colleagues (2013) stated that many patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) have walking impairment despite therapy.  Experimental studies in animals demonstrated improved perfusion in ischemic hind limb after mobilization of bone marrow progenitor cells (PCs), but whether this is effective in patients with PAD is unknown.  These researchers examined if therapy with GM-CSF improves exercise capacity in patients with intermittent claudication.  In a phase II, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 159 patients (median [SD] age, 64 [8] years; 87 % male, 37 % with diabetes) with intermittent claudication were enrolled at medical centers affiliated with Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, between January 2010 and July 2012.  Participants were randomized (1:1) to receive 4 weeks of subcutaneous injections of GM-CSF (leukine), 500 μg/day 3 times a week, or placebo.  Both groups were encouraged to walk to claudication daily.  The primary outcome was peak treadmill walking time (PWT) at 3 months.  Secondary outcomes were PWT at 6 months and changes in circulating PC levels, ankle brachial index (ABI), and walking impairment questionnaire (WIQ) and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) scores.  Of the 159 patients randomized, 80 were assigned to the GM-CSF group.  The mean (SD) PWT at 3 months increased in the GM-CSF group from 296 (151) seconds to 405 (248) seconds (mean change, 109 seconds [95 % CI: 67 to 151]) and in the placebo group from 308 (161) seconds to 376 (182) seconds (change of 56 seconds [95 % CI: 14 to 98]), but this difference was not significant (mean difference in change in PWT, 53 seconds [95 % CI: -6 to 112], p = 0.08).  At 3 months, compared with placebo, GM-CSF improved the physical functioning subscore of the SF-36 questionnaire by 11.4 (95 % CI: 6.7 to 16.1) versus 4.8 (95 % CI: -0.1 to 9.6), with a mean difference in change for GM-CSF versus placebo of 7.5 (95 % CI: 1.0 to 14.0; p = 0.03).  Similarly, the distance score of the WIQ improved by 12.5 (95 % CI: 6.4 to 18.7) versus 4.8 (95 % CI: -0.2 to 9.8) with GM-CSF compared with placebo (mean difference in change, 7.9 [95 % CI: 0.2 to 15.7], p = 0.047).  There were no significant differences in the ABI, WIQ distance and speed scores, claudication onset time, or mental or physical component scores of the SF-36 between the groups. The authors concluded that therapy with GM-CSF 3 times a week did not improve treadmill walking performance at the 3-month follow-up.  The improvements in some secondary outcomes with GM-CSF suggested that it may warrant further study in patients with claudication.  In addition, further investigation is needed to investigate the variability of responsiveness to GM-CSF and its clinical significance.

Siristatidis et al (2013) noted that GM-CSF is a cytokine/growth factor produced by epithelial cells that exerts embryotrophic effects during the early stages of embryo development.  These investigators performed a systematic review, and 6 studies that were performed in humans undergoing assisted reproduction technologies (ART) were located.  They examined if embryo culture media supplementation with GM-CSF could improve success rates.  As the type of studies and the outcome parameters investigated were heterogeneous, these researchers decided not to perform a meta-analysis.  Most of the studies had a trend favoring the supplementation with GM-CSF, when outcomes were measured in terms of increased percentage of good-quality embryos reaching the blastocyst stage, improved hatching initiation and number of cells in the blastocyst, and reduction of cell death.  However, no statistically significant differences were found in implantation and pregnancy rates in all apart from 1 large multi-center trial, which reported favorable outcomes, in terms of implantation and live birth rates.  The authors proposed properly conducted and adequately powered RCTs to further validate and extrapolate the current findings with the live birth rate to be the primary outcome measure.

In a Cochrane review, Cruciani et al (2013) examined the effects of adjunctive G-CSF compared with placebo or no growth factor added to usual care on rates of infection, cure and wound healing in people with diabetes who have a foot infection.  These investigators searched the Cochrane Wounds Group Specialised Register (searched March 14, 2013); the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2013, Issue 2); Ovid MEDLINE (1948 to week 1 of March 2013); Ovid EMBASE (1974 to  March 13, 2013); Ovid MEDLINE (In-Process March 13,2013); and EBSCO CINAHL (1982 to February 28, 2013).  Randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effect of adding G-CSF to usual care in people with a diabetic foot infection were included for analysis.  Three review authors independently assessed trial eligibility, methodological quality and extracted data.  They reported RR or, for continuous outcomes, MD, with 95 % CI.  In the case of low or no heterogeneity these researchers pooled studies using a fixed-effect model.  They identified and included 5 eligible trials with a total of 167 patients.  The investigators administered various G-CSF preparations, at different doses and for different durations of time.  Adding G-CSF did not significantly affect the likelihood of resolution of infection or wound healing, but it was associated with a significantly reduced likelihood of lower extremity surgical interventions (RR 0.38; 95 % CI: 0.21 to 0.70), including amputation (RR 0.41; 95 % CI: 0.18 to 0.95).  Moreover, providing G-CSF reduced the duration of hospital stay (MD -1.40 days; 95 % CI: -2.27 to -0.53 days), but did not significantly affect the duration of systemic antibiotic therapy (MD -0.27 days; 95 % CI: -1.30 to 0.77 days).  The authors concluded that the available evidence is limited, but suggests that adjunctive G-CSF treatment in people with a diabetic foot infection, including infected ulcers, does not appear to increase the likelihood of resolution of infection or healing of the foot ulcer.  However, it does appear to reduce the need for surgical interventions, especially amputations, and the duration of hospitalization.  Clinicians might consider adding G-CSF to the usual treatment of diabetic foot infections, especially in patients with a limb-threatening infection, but it is not clear which patients might benefit.

In a phase I/II clinical trial, Saberi et al (2014) examined the effect of spinal cord injury (SCI) severity on the neurological outcomes, after neuroprotective treatment for SCI with G-CSF.  A total of 74 consecutive patients with SCI of at least 6 months duration, with stable neurological status in the last 3 months having informed consent, for the treatment were included in the study.  All the patients had undergone at least 3 months of standard rehabilitation.  Patients were assessed by American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scale, Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) III, and International Association of Neurorestoratology-Spinal Cord Injury Functional Rating Scale (IANR-SCIFRS) just before intervention and periodically until 6 months after subcutaneous administration of 5 g/kg per day of G-CSF for 7 consecutive days.  Multiple linear regression models, was performed for statistical evaluation of lesion completeness and level of injury on changes in ASIA motor, light touch, pinprick, IANR-SCIFRS, and SCIM III scores, as a phase I/II, comparative study.  The study consisted of 52 motor complete, and 22 motor incomplete SCI patients.  There was not any significant difference regarding age and sex, chronicity, and level of SCI between the 2 groups.  Motor incomplete patients had significantly more improvement in ASIA motor score compared to the motor complete patients (7.68 scores, p < 0.001) also they had significant improvement in light touch (6.42 scores, p = 0.003) and pin-prick sensory scores (4.89 scores, p = 0.011).  Therefore, G-CSF administration in motor incomplete SCIs is associated with significantly higher motor improvement, and also the higher the initial ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) grade, the less would be the final AIS change, and incomplete cases are more welcome into the future studies.  The clinical value of G-CSF in patients with chronic spinal cord injuries need to be further investigated in phase III clinical studies.

1. a sham-operated group (Group 1),
2. an SCI group without treatment (Group 2),
3. an SCI group treated with G-CSF (Group 3), and
4. an SCI group treated with GM-CSF (Group 4). 

Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and GM-CSF were administered via intra-peritoneal injection immediately after SCI.  The effects of G-CSF and GM-CSF on functional recovery, glial scar formation, and axonal regeneration were evaluated and compared.  The rats in Groups 3 and 4 showed better functional recovery and more decreased cavity sizes than those in Group 2 (p < 0.05).  Both G-CSF and GM-CSF suppressed intensive expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein around the cavity at 4 weeks and reduced the expression of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (p < 0.05).  Also, early administration of G-CSF and GM-CSF protected axon fibers from destructive injury and facilitated axonal regeneration.  There were no significant differences in comparisons of functional recovery, glial scar formation, and axonal regeneration between G-CSF and GM-CSF.  The authors concluded that G-CSF suppressed glial scar formation after SCI in rats, possibly by restricting the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, which might facilitate functional recovery from SCI.  They stated that GM-CSF and G-CSF had similar effects on glial scar formation and functional recovery after SCI, suggesting that G-CSF can potentially be substituted for GM-CSF in the treatment of SCI.  The findings from this animal study need to be validated in well-designed human trials.

Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure

Chavez-Tapia et al (2015) stated that acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is associated with increased short- and long-term mortality.  Animal models of liver failure have demonstrated that G-CSF accelerated the liver regeneration process and improved survival.  However, clinical evidence regarding the use of G-CSF in ACLF remains scarce.  These researchers evaluated the benefits and harms of G-CSF in patients with ACLF.  An electronic search was made in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE and LILACS up to November 2013.  Randomized clinical trials comparing the use of any regimen of G-CSF against placebo or no intervention in patients with ACLF were included.  Primary outcomes included overall mortality, mortality due multi-organ failure, and adverse events.  Relative risk and mean difference were used; 2 trials involving 102 patients were included.  A significant reduction in short-term overall mortality was observed in patients receiving G-CSF compared to controls (RR 0.56; 95 % CI: 0.39 to 0.80); G-CSF failed to reduce mortality secondary to gastro-intestinal bleeding (RR 1.45; 95 % CI: 0.50 to 4.27).  Adverse effects reported included: fever, rash, herpes zoster, headache and nausea.  The authors concluded that the use of G-CSF for the treatment of patients with ACLF significantly reduced short-term mortality.  They noted that while the evidence is still limited, the apparent benefit observed on short-term mortality, mild adverse effects and lack of an alternative therapy made the use of G-CSF in ACLF patients a reasonable alternative when liver transplantation is contraindicated or unavailable.  This clinical value of G-CSF in the treatment of ACLF has to be further investigated.

Furthermore, an UpToDate review on “Acute liver failure in adults: Management and prognosis” (Goldberg and Chopra, 2015) listed G-CSF as an experimental approach.  It stated that “Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been studied for the treatment of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).  The theory behind the approach is that mobilization of bone marrow-derived stem cells with G-CSF may promote hepatic regeneration.  In a randomized trial with 47 patients with ACLF, 23 were assigned to receive G-CSF 5 mcg/kg subcutaneously daily for 5 days and then every 3 days for a total of 12 doses, and 24 were assigned to receive placebo.  None of the patients had decompensated liver disease prior to the onset of ACLF.  Patients treated with G-CSF had a higher actuarial probability of survival at 60 days than those treated with placebo (66 versus 26 %) and were less likely to develop hepato-renal syndrome (19 versus 71 %), hepatic encephalopathy (19 versus 66 %), or sepsis (14 versus 41 %). None of the patients who survived underwent emergent liver transplantation”.

Luteinized Unruptured Follicle Syndrome

Shibata et al (2016) stated that luteinized unruptured follicle (LUF) syndrome is one of the intractable ovulation disorders that are commonly observed during cycles of treatment with ovulation inducers, for which no effective therapy other than assisted reproductive technology is available.  These researchers examined if G-CSF could prevent the onset of LUF syndrome.  They analyzed the effects of G-CSF in 68 infertile women with LUF syndrome who received ovulation induction (clomiphene + human chorionic gonadotropin [hCG] therapy or follicle-stimulating hormone + hCG therapy); G-CSF (lenograstim, 100 μg) was administered subcutaneously.  Onsets of LUF syndrome were compared between the cycle during which G-CSF was given in combination with the ovulation inducer (i.e., the G-CSF treatment cycle) and the subsequent cycle during which only the ovulation inducer was given (i.e., the G-CSF non-treatment control cycle).  The results showed that LUF syndrome recurred in only 3 cycles during the G-CSF treatment cycle (4.4 % [3/68 cycles]), whereas LUF syndrome recurred in 13 cycles during the subsequent G-CSF non-treatment control cycle (19.1 % [13/68 cycles]).  The additional use of G-CSF significantly prevented the onset of LUF syndrome during ovulation induction (p = 0.013, McNemar test).  No serious adverse reactions because of the administration of G-CSF were observed.  The authors concluded that these findings indicated that G-CSF may become a useful therapy for LUF syndrome.  These preliminary findings need to be validated by well-designed studies.

Recurrent Miscarriage and Implantation Failure

Cavalcante et al (2015) stated that the use of G-CSF has been proposed to improve pregnancy outcomes in reproductive medicine.  These investigators performed a systematic review of the current use of G-CSF in patients who have difficulty conceiving and maintaining pregnancy.  Two electronic databases (PubMed/ Medline and Scopus) were searched.  Study selection, data extraction and quality assessment were performed in duplicate.  The subject codes used were granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, G-CSF, recurrent miscarriage, IVF failure, and endometrium.  The search of electronic databases resulted in 215 citations (PubMed/ Medline: 139 and Scopus: 76), of which 38 were present in both databases.  Of the remaining 177 publications, 7 studies were included in the present review.  The authors concluded that treatment with G-CSF is a novel proposal for immune therapy in patients with recurrent miscarriage and implantation failure following cycles of IVF.  However, they stated that a larger number of well-designed studies are needed for this treatment to be established.

Prevention of Infections in Persons Receiving Myelotoxic Chemotherapy

In a Cochrane review, Skoetz and colleagues (2015) compared the safety and effectiveness of GM-CSF with antibiotics in cancer patients receiving myelotoxic chemotherapy.  These investigators searched the Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase, databases of ongoing trials, and conference proceedings of the ASCO and the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (1980 to December 2015).  They included both full-text and abstract publications; 2 review authors independently screened search results.  These researchers included RCTs comparing prophylaxis with GM-CSF versus antibiotics for the prevention of infection in cancer patients of all ages receiving chemotherapy.  All study arms had to receive identical chemotherapy regimens and other supportive care.  The authors included full-text, abstracts, and unpublished data if sufficient information on study design, participant characteristics, interventions and outcomes was available.  They excluded cross-over trials, quasi-randomized trials and post-hoc retrospective trials.  Two review authors independently screened the results of the search strategies, extracted data, assessed risk of bias, and analyzed data according to standard Cochrane methods.  They did final interpretation together with an experienced clinician.  In this updated review, these investigators included no new RCTs.  They included 2 trials in the review, 1 with 40 breast cancer patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) and G-CSF compared to antibiotics, a second one evaluating 155 patients with small-cell lung cancer receiving GM-CSF or antibiotics.  These researchers judged the overall risk of bias as high in the G-CSF trial, as neither patients nor physicians were blinded and not all included patients were analyzed as randomized (7 out of 40 patients).  The authors considered the overall risk of bias in the GM-CSF to be moderate, because of the risk of performance bias (neither patients nor personnel were blinded), but low risk of selection and attrition bias.  For the trial comparing G-CSF to antibiotics, all-cause mortality was not reported.  There was no evidence of a difference for infection-related mortality, with zero events in each arm.  Microbiologically or clinically documented infections, severe infections, quality of life, and adverse events were not reported.  There was no evidence of a difference in frequency of FN (RR 1.22; 95 % CI: 0.53 to 2.84).  The quality of the evidence for the 2 reported outcomes, infection-related mortality and frequency of FN, was very low, due to the low number of patients evaluated (high imprecision) and the high risk of bias.  There was no evidence of a difference in terms of median survival time in the trial comparing GM-CSF and antibiotics.  Two-year survival times were 6 % (0 to 12 %) in both arms (high imprecision, low quality of evidence).  There were 4 toxic deaths in the GM-CSF arm and 3in the antibiotics arm (3.8 %), without evidence of a difference (RR 1.32; 95 % CI: 0.30 to 5.69; p = 0.71; low quality of evidence).  There were 28 % grade III or IV infections in the GM-CSF arm and 18 % in the antibiotics arm, without any evidence of a difference (RR 1.55; 95 % CI: 0.86 to 2.80; p = 0.15, low quality of evidence).  There were 5 episodes out of 360 cycles of grade IV infections in the GM-CSF arm and 3 episodes out of 334 cycles in the cotrimoxazole arm (0.8 %), with no evidence of a difference (RR 1.55; 95 % CI: 0.37 to 6.42; p = 0.55; low quality of evidence).  There was no significant difference between the 2 arms for non-hematological toxicities like diarrhea, stomatitis, infections, neurologic, respiratory, or cardiac adverse events.  Grade III and IV thrombopenia occurred significantly more frequently in the GM-CSF arm (60.8 %) compared to the antibiotics arm (28.9 %); (RR 2.10; 95 % CI: 1.41 to 3.12; p = 0.0002; low quality of evidence).  Neither infection-related mortality, incidence of febrile neutropenia, nor quality of life were reported in this trial.  The authors concluded that as they only found 2 small trials with 195 patients altogether, no conclusion for clinical practice is possible.  They stated that more trials are needed to evaluate the benefits and harms of GM-CSF compared to antibiotics for infection prevention in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Scleroderma

In a pilot study, Giuggioli and colleagues (2006) examined the effectiveness of G-CSF in the treatment of non-healing skin lesions in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients.  A total of 26 SSc patients (23 females and 3 males, aged 54 +/- 13.6 years) with skin ulcers were enrolled in this trial.  Prior to the treatment with G-CSF, all ulcers failed to heal with conventional therapies carried out for a period of 1 to 5 years.  All patients were treated with 5 ug/kg G-CSF subcutaneously for 5 days.  Healing time, quality of wounds, visual analog scale (VAS) and Health assessment questionnaire disability index (HAQ-DI) were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment.  An improvement of skin ulcers was observed in 24/26 patients; in particular, 22/26 wounds completely healed, 2/26 showed a partial healing.  In only 2 patients, skin ulcers did not change during the 6-month follow-up.  The quality of life improved as showed by VAS (from 88 +/- 13 to 55 +/- 28; p < 0.0001) and HAQ-DI (from 2.12 +/- 0.45 to 1.28 +/- 0.30; p < 0.0001).  The eradication of pathogens from the infected ulcers was also observed in 12/12 patients; while no adverse side effects related to G-CSF were recorded.  The authors concluded that the findings of this study suggested that G-CSF may be useful in the treatment of scleroderma skin ulcers refractory to conventional treatments.  These preliminary findings need to be validated by well-designed studies.

Furthermore, an  UpToDate review on “Juvenile systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)” (Zulian, 2016) does not mention G-CSF and GM-CSF as therapeutic options.

Mobilization of Donor Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells for Allogeneic Transplantation

Schmitt et al (2016) stated that biosimilars of the granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) filgrastim were approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for registered indications of the originator G-CSF, including prevention and treatment of neutropenia, as well as mobilization of peripheral blood stem cells in 2008.  Nevertheless, there is still an ongoing debate regarding the quality, efficacy and safety of biosimilar G-CSF.  This article was a meta-analysis of clinical studies on the use of biosimilar G-CSF for mobilization and transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells as available in public databases.  All data sets were weighted for the number of patients and parameters and then subjected to statistical meta-analysis employing the Mann-Whitney U-test followed by the Hodges-Lehmann estimator to assess differences between biosimilar and originator G-SCF.  A total of 1,892 individuals, mostly with hematological malignancies but also including 351 healthy donors have been successfully mobilized for autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplantation using biosimilar G-CSF (Zarzio(TM): 1,239 individuals; ratiograstim (TM)/tevagrastim (TM): 653 individuals).  A total of 740 patients with multiple myeloma, 491 with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), 150 with Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) and other diseases were included in this meta-analysis, as well as 161 siblings and 190 volunteer unrelated donors.  For biosimilar and originator G-CSF, bioequivalence was observed for the yield of CD34+ stem cells as well as for the engraftment of the transplants.  The authors concluded that biosimilar G-CSF has equivalent effects and safety as originator G-CSF.

Harada et al (2016) reported that from January 2012 to September 2015, a total of 49 patients received biosimilar filgrastim (BF) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT, n = 31) or peripheral stem cell transplantation (PBSCT, n = 18) in their institution.  To evaluate the clinical impact of BF on transplant outcomes of these patients, these researchers compared hematological recovery, overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), transplantation-related mortality (TRM), cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), and acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) with those of control patients who received originator filgrastim (OF) after BMT (n = 31) or PBSCT (n = 18).  All cases were randomly selected from a clinical database in our institution. In both the BMT and PBSCT settings, neutrophil recovery (17 versus 19 days in BMT; 13 versus 15 days in PBSCT) and platelet recovery (27 versus 31 days in BMT; 17 versus 28 days in PBSCT) were essentially the same between BF and OF.  They were also comparable in terms of OS, DFS, TRM, CIR, and the incidence of acute GVHD and chronic GVHD.  On multi-variate analysis, the use of BF in both BMT and PBSCT was not a significant factor for adverse transplant outcomes.   Although BF significantly reduced filgrastim costs in both BMT and PBSCT, total hospitalization costs were not significantly different between BF and OF.

Furthermore, National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s Drugs & Biologics Compendium (2017) lists mobilization of donor hematopoietic progenitor cells (preferred) or for granulocyte transfusion in the allogeneic setting as a recommended indication of filgrastim,  filgrastim-sndz, and tbo-filgrastim.

Hematopoietic Support Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

A multi-national “Guidelines for Preventing Infectious Complications among Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients” (Tomblyn et al, 2009) stated that “Growth factors (e.g., granulocyte-macrophage–CSF [GM-CSF] and G-CSF) shorten the duration of neutropenia after HCT and may slightly reduce the risk of infection, but have not been shown to reduce mortality.  Therefore, the routine use of growth factors after HCT is controversial and no recommendation for their use can be made”.

Furthermore, an UpToDate review on “Hematopoietic support after hematopoietic cell transplantation” (Negrin, 2017) states that “Given the limited general utility of colony-stimulating factors following allogeneic transplantation, and the fact that their use may have been deleterious in some allogeneic settings, there appears to be little reason to routinely treat allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) patients with these growth factors as post-treatment prophylaxis.  Exceptions include those patients with delayed neutrophil engraftment or a reduction in WBC due to infection or drug treatment”.

Neutropenia Following Lung Transplantation

An UpToDate review on “Noninfectious complications following lung transplantation” (Ahya and Kawut, 2017) does not mention GCSF as a management tool.

Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria

National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s Drugs & Biologics Compendium (2017) does not list paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria as a recommended indication of filgrastim,  filgrastim-sndz, and tbo-filgrastim.

Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor Therapy for Stroke

Huang and colleagues (2017) stated that G-CSF is a therapeutic candidate for stroke that has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties.  Data from pre-clinical and clinical studies have suggested the safety and effectiveness of G-CSF in stroke; however, the exact effects and utility of this cytokine in patients remain disputed.  These investigators performed a meta-analysis of RCTs of G-CSF in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke to evaluate its safety and effectiveness.  Electronic databases were searched for relevant publications in English and Chinese.  A total of 14 trials met the inclusion criteria; G-CSF (cumulative dose range, 1 to 135 μg/kg/day) was tested against placebo in a total of 1,037 participants.  There was no difference in the rate of mortality between groups (OR, 1.23; 95 % CI: 0.76 to 1.97, p = 0.40).  Moreover, the rate of serious AEs did not differ between groups and provided evidence for the safety of G-CSF administration in stroke patients (OR, 1.11; 95 % CI: 0.77 to 1.61, p = 0.57).  No significant outcome benefits were noted with respect to the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS; MD, -0.16; 95 % CI: -1.02 to 0.70, p = 0.72); however, improvements were noted with respect to the Barthel Index (BI) (MD, 8.65; 95 % CI: 0.98 to 16.32; p = 0.03).  The authors concluded that it appeared to be safe in administration of G-CSF, but it will increase leukocyte count; G-CSF was weakly significant benefit with improving the BI scores, while there was no improvement in the NIHSS scores.  They stated that larger and more robustly designed trials of G-CSF in stroke are needed to confirm these findings.

Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor in Assisted Reproductive Technology

Kunicki and colleagues (2017) evaluated the effect of G-CSF on unresponsive thin (less than 7 mm) endometrium in women undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer at the blastocyst stage.  A total of 62 women with thin unresponsive endometrium were included in the study, of which, 29 received a G-CSF infusion and 33 who opted out of the study served as controls.  Patients in both groups had similar endometrial thickness at the time of the initial evaluation: 6.50 mm (5.50 to 6.80) in the G-CSF and 6.40 mm (5.50 to 7.0) in the control group.  However, after the infusion endometrial thickness increased significantly in the G-CSF group in comparison with the controls (p = 0.01), (Δ) 0.5 (0.02 to 1.2) (p = 0.005).  In the G-CSF group endometrium expanded to 7.90 mm (6.58 to 8.70) while in the control group to 6.90 mm (6.0 to 7.75); 5 women in each group conceived.  The clinical pregnancy rate was 5/29 (17.24 %) in the G-CSF treated group and 5/33 (15.15 %) in the control group (p > 0.05).  The live-birth rate was 2/29 (6.89 %) in the G-CSF group and 2/33 (6.06 %) in the control group (p > 0.05).  The authors concluded that G-CSF infusion led to an improvement in endometrium thickness but not to any improvement in the clinical pregnancy and live-birth rates.  They stated that until more data are available, G-CSF treatment should be considered to be of limited value in increasing pregnancy rate.

Li and co-workers (2017) noted that evidence for the effect of G-CSF on infertile women undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) remains inconsistent.  These researchers evaluated the effectiveness of G-CSF on infertile women undergoing IVF.  PubMed and Embase databases were searched before August 2016.  Comparing the transvaginal perfusion of G-CSF and placebo or no treatment, the available studies were considered.  The pooled RR with 95 % CIs was used in the analysis and 6 studies were included.  Transvaginal perfusion of G-CSF was significantly associated with a higher clinical pregnancy rate versus the placebo (RR = 1.563, 95 % CI: 1.122 to 2.176), especially for the Asian population.  Among patients with a thin endometrium or repeated IVF failure, the implantation and biochemical pregnancy rates were also significantly increased in patients with the use of G-CSF (implantation rate: RR = 1.887, 95 % CI: 1.256 to 2.833; biochemical pregnancy rate: RR = 2.385, 95 % CI: 1.414 to 4.023).  However, no statistical significance in increasing endometrial thickness was detected.  The authors concluded that transvaginal perfusion of G-CSF for infertile women may play a critical role in assisting human reproduction, especially for patients with a thin endometrium or repeated IVF failure in the Asian population.

Kamath and associates (2017) noted that G-CSF has been used in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART).  These researchers performed a systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness of G-CSF in women with thin endometrium and recurrent implantation failure (RIF) undergoing ART.  The outcomes included an increase in endometrial thickness, live-birth, clinical pregnancy rates and adverse effects.  They included 2 trials evaluating women with thin endometrium and another 2 trials evaluating women with RIF.  The pooled data did not reveal statistically significant increase in endometrial thickness following G-CSF in women with thin endometrium (MD 0.47, 95 % CI: -1.36 to 2.31; I2 82 %).  However significantly higher clinical pregnancy rate was noted (RR 2.43, 95 % CI: 1.09 to 5.40; I2 0 %) following G-CSF compared to no intervention and quality of evidence for both these outcomes was very low.  In RIF population, the administration of G-CSF was associated with a significantly higher clinical pregnancy rate compared to no intervention with pooled RR of 2.51 (95 % CI: 1.36 to 4.63; I2 0 %) and quality of evidence being low.  The authors concluded that findings of current review suggested a possible benefit of G-CSF in women with thin endometrium undergoing ART and RIF.  However, they stated that these findings need to be further validated in larger trials before G-CSF can be used in routine clinical practice.

Fulphila

On June 4, 2018 the FDA approved Fulphila (pegfilgrastim-jmdb) as the first biosimilar to Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) to decrease the chance of infection as suggested by febrile neutropenia (fever, often with other signs of infection, associated with an abnormally low number of infection-fighting white blood cells), in patients with non-myeloid (non-bone marrow) cancer who are receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy that has a clinically significant incidence of febrile neutropenia.

A biosimilar is a biological product that is highly similar to and has no clinically meaningful differences from an existing FDA-approved reference product. The FDA’s approval of Fulphila is based on review of evidence that included extensive structural and functional characterization, animal study data, human pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data, clinical immunogenicity data, and other clinical safety and effectiveness data that demonstrates Fulphila is biosimilar to Neulasta. Fulphila has been approved as a biosimilar, not as an interchangeable product.

Pegfilgrastim-jmdb (Fulphila) is a covalent conjugate of recombinant methionyl human G-CSF and monomethoxypolyethylene glycol. As with filgrastim (Neupogen) and pegfilgrastim (Neulasta), pegfilgrastim-jmdb is a colony-stimulating factor that acts on hematopoietic cells by binding to specific cell surface receptors, thereby stimulating proliferation, differentiation, commitment, and end cell functional activation.

The recommended dosage of Fulphila is a single subcutaneous injection of 6 mg administered once per chemotherapy cycle. For dosing in pediatric patients weighing less than 45 kg, please refer to Full Prescribing Information. Fulphila should not be administered between 14 days before and 24 hours after administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy. Fulphila is administered subcutaneously via a single-dose prefilled syringe for manual use.

Fulphila is contraindicated in patients with a history of serious allergic reactions to pegfilgrastim products or filgrastim products and patients on Fulphila therapy should be closely monitored for the following potential adverse reactions:

• Splenic rupture, including fatal cases, can occur following the administration of pegfilgrastim products. Evaluate for an enlarged spleen or splenic rupture in patients who report left upper abdominal or shoulder pain after receiving Fulphila.
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) can occur in patients receiving pegfilgrastim products. Evaluate patients who develop fever and lung infiltrates or respiratory distress after receiving Fulphila, for ARDS. Discontinue Fulphila in patients with ARDS.
• Severe and sometimes fatal sickle cell crises can occur in patients with sickle cell disorders receiving pegfilgrastim products.
• Glomerulonephritis has occurred in patients receiving pegfilgrastim products. The diagnoses were based upon azotemia, hematuria (microscopic and macroscopic), proteinuria, and renal biopsy. Generally, events of glomerulonephritis resolved after dose reduction or discontinuation of pegfilgrastim products. If glomerulonephritis is suspected, evaluate for cause. If causality is likely, consider dose-reduction or interruption of Fulphila.
• Leukocytosis or White blood cell (WBC) counts of 100 x 109/L or greater have been observed in patients receiving pegfilgrastim products. Monitoring of complete blood count (CBC) during therapy with Fulphila is recommended.
• Capillary Leak Syndrome has been reported after G-CSF administration, including pegfilgrastim products, and is characterized by hypotension, hypoalbuminemia, edema and hemoconcentration. Episodes vary in frequency, severity and may be life-threatening if treatment is delayed. Patients who develop symptoms of capillary leak syndrome should be closely monitored and receive standard symptomatic treatment, which may include a need for intensive care.
• Potential for Tumor Growth Stimulatory Effects on Malignant Cells.

Pegfilgrastim was evaluated in three randomized, double-blind, controlled studies. Studies 1 and 2 were active-controlled studies that employed doxorubicin 60 mg/m2 and docetaxel 75 mg/m2 administered every 21 days for up to 4 cycles for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Study 1 investigated the utility of a fixed dose of pegfilgrastim. Study 2 employed a weight-adjusted dose. In the absence of growth factor support, similar chemotherapy regimens have been reported to result in a 100% incidence of severe neutropenia (ANC < 0.5 x 109/L) with a mean duration of 5 to 7 days and a 30% to 40% incidence of febrile neutropenia. Based on the correlation between the duration of severe neutropenia and the incidence of febrile neutropenia found in studies with filgrastim, duration of severe neutropenia was chosen as the primary endpoint in both studies, and the efficacy of pegfilgrastim was demonstrated by establishing comparability to filgrastim-treated patients in the mean days of severe neutropenia.

In Study 1, 157 patients were randomized to receive a single subcutaneous injection of pegfilgrastim (6 mg) on day 2 of each chemotherapy cycle or daily subcutaneous filgrastim (5 mcg/kg/day) beginning on day 2 of each chemotherapy cycle. In Study 2, 310 patients were randomized to receive a single subcutaneous injection of pegfilgrastim (100 mcg/kg) on day 2 or daily subcutaneous filgrastim (5 mcg/kg/day) beginning on day 2 of each chemotherapy cycle.

Both studies met the major efficacy outcome measure of demonstrating that the mean days of severe neutropenia of pegfilgrastim-treated patients did not exceed that of filgrastim-treated patients by more than 1 day in cycle 1 of chemotherapy. The mean days of cycle 1 severe neutropenia in Study 1 were 1.8 days in the pegfilgrastim arm compared to 1.6 days in the filgrastim arm [difference in means 0.2 (95% CI -0.2, 0.6)] and in Study 2 were 1.7 days in the pegfilgrastim arm compared to 1.6 days in the filgrastim arm [difference in means 0.1 (95% CI -0.2, 0.4)].

A secondary endpoint in both studies was days of severe neutropenia in cycles 2 through 4 with results similar to those for cycle 1.

Study 3 was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that employed docetaxel 100 mg/m2 administered every 21 days for up to 4 cycles for the treatment of metastatic or non-metastatic breast cancer. In this study, 928 patients were randomized to receive a single subcutaneous injection of pegfilgrastim (6 mg) or placebo on day 2 of each chemotherapy cycle. Study 3 met the major trial outcome measure of demonstrating that the incidence of febrile neutropenia (defined as temperature ≥ 38.2°C and ANC ≤ 0.5 x109/L) was lower for pegfilgrastim-treated patients as compared to placebo-treated patients (1% versus 17%, respectively, p < 0.001). The incidence of hospitalizations (1% versus 14%) and IV anti-infective use (2% versus 10%) for the treatment of febrile neutropenia was also lower in the pegfilgrastim-treated patients compared to the placebo-treated patients.

Study 4 was a multicenter, randomized, open-label study to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of pegfilgrastim in pediatric and young adult patients with sarcoma. Patients with sarcoma receiving chemotherapy age 0 to 21 years were eligible. Patients were randomized to receive subcutaneous pegfilgrastim as a single-dose of 100 mcg/kg (n = 37) or subcutaneous filgrastim at a dose 5 mcg/kg/day (n = 6) following myelosuppressive chemotherapy. Recovery of neutrophil counts was similar in the pegfilgrastim and filgrastim groups. The most common adverse reaction reported was bone pain.

Udenyca (pegfilgrastim-cbqv)

On November 02, 2018, the U.S. FDA approved Udenyca (pegfilgrastim-cbqv), formerly CHS-1701, is a PEGylated growth colony-stimulating factor and is the second biosimilar to Neulasta, for patients with cancer receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy. The FDA approved indication for Udenyca is a leukocyte growth factor indicated to decrease the incidence of infection, as manifested by febrile neutropenia, in patients with non-myeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive anti-cancer drugs associated with a clinically significant incidence of febrile neutropenia.

Pegfilgrastim-cbqv is a covalent conjugate of recombinant methionyl human G-CSF and monomethoxypolyethylene glycol. Recombinant methionyl human G-CSF is obtained from the bacterial fermentation of a strain of E coli transformed with a genetically engineered plasmid containing the human G-CSF gene. As with pegfilgrastim (Neulasta) and pegfilgrastim-jmdb (Fulphola), Pegfilgrastim-cbqv is a colony-stimulating factors that act on hematopoietic cells by binding to specific cell surface receptors, thereby stimulating proliferation, differentiation, commitment, and end cell functional activation.

The approval of Udenyca was supported by a comprehensive analytical similarity package, as well as pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and immunogenicity studies, including over 600 healthy subjects.

Udenyca is not indicated for the mobilization of peripheral blood progenitor cells for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and is contraidicated in patients with a history of serious allergic reaction to human granulocyte colony-stimulating factors such as pegfilgrastim or filgrastim products. Warnings and precautions for Udenyca include evaluating patients who report left upper abdominal or shoulder pain for an enlarged spleen or splenic rupture, evaluating patients who develop fever, lung infiltrates, or respiratory distress and discontinuing treatment in patients with Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In the event of serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, permanently discontinue Udenyca. Fatal sickle cell crises have occurred. If glomerulonephritis develops, consider dose-reduction or interruption of Udenyca if causality is likely. The most common adverse reactions (≥ 5% difference in incidence compared to placebo) are bone pain and pain in extremity.

Nivestym (filgrastim-aafi)

On July 20, 2018, the U.S. FDA approved Nivestym (filgrastim-aafi) (Pfizer, Inc.), a biosimilar to Neupogen (filgrastim) (Amgen, Inc.), for all eligible indications of the referenced product; thus, Nivestym, a leukocyte growth factor, is approved for the same indications as Neupogen. The FDA approval was based on a review of a comprehensive data package and totality of evidence demonstrating a high degree of similarity of Nivestym compared to its reference product.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Drugs and Biologics Compendium (September 2018) has not yet made a recommendation for Nivestym (filgrastim-aafi).

Filgrastim-aafi is available for injection as 300 mcg/mL in a single-dose vial, and 480 mcg/1.6 mL single-dose vial. It is also available as a prefilled syringe for injection 300 mcg/0.5 mL, and 480 mcg/0.8 mL. See Appendix for dosing information.

Note: simultaneous use of filgrastim-aafi with chemotherapy and radiation therapy is not recommended and should be avoided (Pfizer, 2018).

Appendix

Source: Smith et al, 2006; NCCN, 2019

Source: Smith et al, 2006; NCCN, 2019

Key: ANC = absolute neutrophil count; mcg = micrograms; kg = kilograms; m2 = square meters.

Source: FDA-approved labeling.

The above policy is based on the following references: