Several studies have evaluated the safety and efficacy of filgrastim.
Filgrastim During Chemotherapy
Filgrastim has been studied for the prevention of infections in people undergoing chemotherapy for
lung cancer. In one study, only 40 percent of those taking filgrastim developed an infection, compared to 76 percent of those not taking the drug. Additionally, people who took filgrastim had low neutrophils (neutropenia) less often, less severely, and for shorter periods of time, compared with those not taking the medicine.
Filgrastim has also been studied in people undergoing chemotherapy for various other cancers, including acute myeloid
leukemia (
AML), and was shown to help the neutrophil levels increase more quickly and decrease the duration of fever, antibiotic use, and hospitalization.
Filgrastim During Bone Marrow Transplantation
Studies have also shown filgrastim to be useful during bone marrow transplantation. After the transplantation, it takes awhile for the new bone marrow to begin working, and this delay causes low neutrophils (neutropenia) and increases the risk of infection. In one study, those who took filgrastim had only 11 days of severe neutropenia, compared with 23 days in people not taking the medicine.
Filgrastim for Stem Cell Collection
Sometimes, instead of using bone marrow for transplantation, stem cells collected from the blood can be used for transplantations. Studies have shown that filgrastim can help in the process of collecting the stem cells since it can help release stem cells into the blood.
Filgrastim for Severe Chronic Neutropenia
Studies have also shown that filgrastim can help with severe chronic neutropenia. In one study, about 20 percent of people taking filgrastim developed an infection, compared to 50 percent of those not taking the drug. Infections in those taking filgrastim were shorter and less likely to require hospitalization, compared to infections in people not taking the medicine.
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