The Effect of Neutropenia and Filgrastim (G-CSF) in Cancer Patients With COVID-19 Infection

Abstract

Abstract Background Neutropenia is commonly encountered in cancer patients. Recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF, filgrastim), a cytokine that initiates proliferation and differentiation of mature granulocytes, is widely given to oncology patients to counteract neutropenia, reducing susceptibility to infection. However, the clinical impact of neutropenia and G-CSF use in cancer patients with COVID-19 remains unknown. Methods An observational cohort of 379 actively treated cancer patients with COVID-19 was assembled to investigate links between concurrent neutropenia and G-CSF administration on COVID-19-associated respiratory failure and death. These factors were encoded as time-dependent predictors in an extended Cox model, controlling for age and underlying cancer diagnosis. To determine whether the degree of granulocyte response to G-CSF affected outcomes, the degree of response to G-CSF, based on rise in absolute neutrophil count (ANC) 24 hours after growth factor administration, was also incorporated into a similar Cox model. Results In the setting of active COVID-19 infection, outpatient receipt of G-CSF led to an increased number of hospitalizations (HR: 3.54, 95% CI: 1.25-10.0, P value: 0.017). Furthermore, among inpatients, G-CSF administration was associated with increased need for high levels of oxygen supplementation and death (HR: 3.56, 95% CI: 1.19-10.2, P value: 0.024). This effect was predominantly seen in patients that exhibited a high response to G-CSF based on their ANC increase post-G-CSF administration (HR: 7.78, 95% CI: 2.05-27.9, P value: 0.004). Conclusion The potential risks versus benefits of G-CSF administration should be considered in neutropenic cancer patients with COVID-19, since G-CSF administration may lead to worsening clinical and respiratory status.