Neutropenia and stem cell mobilisation

Question 1

What is neutropenia?

Answer 1

A low neutrophil count (<1.5 x 10⁹/L).

Question 2

Why is neutropenia a concern in chemotherapy patients?

Answer 2

It increases the risk of infection and sepsis, especially with high-intensity chemotherapy.

Question 3

What is rhG-CSF and what does it do?

Answer 3

Recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor; it stimulates neutrophil production and reduces the duration of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.

Question 4

Name four granulocyte-colony stimulating factors (G-CSFs).

Answer 4

Filgrastim, lenograstim, pegfilgrastim, lipegfilgrastim.

Question 5

What is stem cell mobilization?

Answer 5

Moving stem cells from bone marrow to bloodstream using G-CSF before stem cell collection.

Question 6

What is the main use of filgrastim?

Answer 6

To stimulate neutrophil production and reduce chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.

Question 7

Does filgrastim reduce the risk of febrile neutropenia?

Answer 7

Yes, it may reduce the incidence of febrile neutropenia.