Long-term safety of filgrastim (rhG-CSF) administration
2007

Long-term safety of filgrastim administration

Sample size: 4015 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Confer Dennis L, Miller John P

Primary Institution: National Marrow Donor Program

Hypothesis

Does filgrastim exposure increase the risk of developing acute leukaemia in donors?

Conclusion

No long-term risks have been found so far in donors who received filgrastim for PBSC mobilisation.

Supporting Evidence

  • Among 4015 donors, 20 cases of cancer were reported, consistent with expected rates.
  • There have been no reports of leukaemia or lymphoma in the donor cohort.
  • Normal individuals are at risk for developing cancer throughout their lifetime.

Takeaway

This study looked at people who donated stem cells and found that using a drug called filgrastim didn't seem to cause any long-term health problems.

Methodology

Follow-up of PBSC donors who received filgrastim, with annual monitoring for cancer development.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the self-reported nature of cancer occurrences.

Limitations

The long-term effects of filgrastim are still being studied, and the data is limited.

Participant Demographics

Volunteer, unrelated adult donors of PBSC.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1111/j.1365-2141.2007.06524.x

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