Should the indications for the use of myeloid growth factors for the prevention of febrile neutropenia in cancer patients be extended?

PURPOSE OF REVIEWPrevention of infectious complications of chemotherapy-induced granulocytopenia is a major issue in preventive medicine, as febrile neutropenia is still associated with an overall 10% mortality and extensive morbidity and cost. RECENT FINDINGSThe prescription of granulocyte colony-stimulating factors should not be determined according to a risk prediction of febrile neutropenia considering solely type of chemotherapy and according to cost-effectiveness; other factors appear now to be important for making the decision, namely age and the presence of various comorbid factors. SUMMARYIt is likely that the consideration of these newly recognized risk factors and the availability of more affordable granulocyte colony-stimulating factors will lead, in the near future, to an extension of the presently recognized indications for the prescription of granulocyte colony-stimulating factors.