Incidence, predictors, and outcomes of febrile neutropenia and neutropenia with docetaxel for metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer

A retrospective study at the Ottawa Hospital (Ontario, Canada) found that among patients receiving docetaxel for metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) the incidence of febrile neutropenia (FN) and neutropenia was 25% and 33%, respectively. Among the FN-patients, 94% required hospitalization for a mean of 5 days (± 2.8) and 6% died. Following FN, 53% required at least one treatment delay, and 71% had at least one dose reduction. Higher age and multiple comorbidities increased the risk of FN. The authors conclude that in the real world the incidence of FN and neutropenia in patients receiving docetaxel for mCRPC is higher than previously reported and high enough to consider primary prophylaxis with GCSF in high-risk groups.