Prophylactic antibiotics or G-CSF for the prevention of infections and improvement of survival in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

Abstract

There is no evidence for or against antibiotics compared to G(M)-CSFs for the prevention of infections in cancer patients.

The glutathione disulfide mimetic NOV-002 inhibits cyclophosphamide-induced hematopoietic and immune suppression by reducing oxidative stress

“…Many cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy develop hematopoietic and immune suppression that can lead to dose reductions and delays in therapy [1–4]. Dose reductions and treatment delays can compromise the outcomes of cancer therapy and decrease overall survival and disease-free survival [1, 4–7].…”

“…Dose reductions and treatment delays can compromise the outcomes of cancer therapy and decrease overall survival and disease-free survival [1, 4–7]. However, strategies to effectively reduce the undesirable collateral effects of these therapies, and accelerate the recovery of depressed hematopoietic and immune functions after chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy remains a major clinical problem.…”

Preventing Infections During Cancer Treatment

“…In addition, an estimated 60,000 patients with cancer are hospitalized each year in the United States for chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and, among those hospitalized, about 4,100 will die from this complication (Caggiano, Weiss, Rickert, & Linde-Zwirble, 2005). Neutropenia and subsequent infectious complications are among the most serious treatment-related toxicities of cancer treatment and result in preventable morbidity and mortality (Herbst et al, 2009; Lyman et al, 2010). Infections among immunosuppressed patients with cancer are life-threatening, with a mortality rate associated with febrile neutropenia of 2%–21%, depending on the cancer type, type of chemotherapy, and other factors (Herbst et al, 2009; Lyman et al, 2010; Smith et al, 2006).…”

“…Neutropenia and subsequent infectious complications are among the most serious treatment-related toxicities of cancer treatment and result in preventable morbidity and mortality (Herbst et al, 2009; Lyman et al, 2010). Infections among immunosuppressed patients with cancer are life-threatening, with a mortality rate associated with febrile neutropenia of 2%–21%, depending on the cancer type, type of chemotherapy, and other factors (Herbst et al, 2009; Lyman et al, 2010; Smith et al, 2006). Infections can be difficult to identify in this vulnerable population given a lack of clinical signs and symptoms from neutropenia and a decreased febrile response (Lyman et al, 2010).…”

“…As a result of this difficulty, a patient’s ability to recognize of the signs and symptoms of an infection is critical. Lowering the risk for developing infections is an important strategy to decrease poor outcomes (Herbst et al, 2009), and education programs for this population may help them reduce their risk. Because patients with cancer increasingly obtain health education from the Internet to find relevant information, and one in three Americans turn to the Internet to diagnose a medical condition, an online program may be an effective way to provide patients with information to prevent infections (Chou, Liu, Post, & Hesse, 2011; Fox & Duggan, 2013; Suggs & McIntyre, 2009).…”