Effect of PEG-rhG-CSF in Preventing Chemotherapy-induced Neutropenia in Locally Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients at Nutritional Risk

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of polyethylene glycol recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (PEG-rhG-CSF) in preventing chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in locally advanced non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients at nutritional risk.

Methods A total of 337 locally advanced NSCLC patients at nutritional risk were selected. They were randomly divided into three groups: 112 cases in the non-prophylactic drug group (control group), 112 cases in the prophylactic use of rhG-CSF treatment group (rhG-CSF group), and 113 cases in the prophylactic use of PEG-rhG-CSF treatment group (PEG-rhG-CSF group). The incidence and duration of neutropenia after chemotherapy and the ratio of CD4⁺/CD8⁺T cells in peripheral blood were observed.

Results The incidences of neutropenia in the control group, rhG-CSF group, and PEG-rhG-CSF group were 67.97%, 41.57%, and 38.98% (P < 0.05), respectively. The incidences of grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ neutropenia in the three groups were 22.39%, 14.25%, and 11.14% (P < 0.05); moreover, the incidence of febrile neutropenia in the three groups was 3.55%, 1.84%, and 1.21% (P < 0.05); in addition, the ratios of CD4⁺/CD8⁺T cells in peripheral blood were 1.27±0.44, 1.41±0.52, and 1.49±0.42 (P < 0.05). The duration of grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ neutropenia and the time required for the neutrophil value to reach 2.0×10⁹/L from the lowest value in the PEG-rhG-CSF group were lower than those in the control and rhG-CSF groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusion The PEG-rhG-CSF preventive treatment used in the course of chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced NSCLC patients at nutritional risk can reduce the incidence of neutropenia and improve immunologic function. PEG-rhG-CSF preventive treatment is worthy of clinical recommendation.