Overuse of granulocyte colony stimulating factors in systemic cancer therapy

Abstract

The use of granulopoietic agents has become widespread in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, and a number of reliable population-based studies suggest major deviations from the international evidence-based guidelines. In effect, the growth factors are overused or not used when clinically indicated. In addition, recent randomised studies in patients with aggressive lymphoma provide evidence against the benefit of once commonly believed tactics of dose-dense chemotherapy made possible by the use of G-CSF. We review of contributions implicating an overuse or underuse of G-CSF in oncology practice.