PEG‐rhG‐CSF for prophylaxis of neutropenia after chemotherapy in patients with non–small cell lung cancer: A multicenter, prospective, randomized study

Abstract Background To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pegylated recombinant human granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (PEG‐rhG‐CSF) in preventing neutropenia during multiple cycles of chemotherapy in patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Method In a multicenter, prospective, randomized trial, patients with NSCLC were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to treatment group (PEG‐rhG‐CSF as primary prophylactic therapy) or control group. Patients in the control group were administered rhG‐CSF when white blood cell count was 0.05). Adverse events were reported in 47.13% of patients in the treatment group and 48.84% patients in the control group. Conclusions Primary prophylactic treatment with PEG‐rhG‐CSF could reduce the incidence of neutropenia in patients with NSCLC during multiple cycles of chemotherapy, with acceptable safety and tolerability.