FDA approves new treatment for severe neutropenia in certain cancer patients

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved tbo-filgrastim to reduce the time certain patients receiving cancer chemotherapy experience severe neutropenia, a decrease in infection-fighting white blood cells called neutrophils.

Tbo-filgrastim is intended for use in adults who have cancers other than blood or bone marrow cancers (non-myeloid malignancies) and are taking chemotherapy drugs that cause a substantial decrease in the production of neutrophils in the bone marrow. This reduction in neutrophils may lead to infection and fever (febrile neutropenia).

Tbo-filgrastim stimulates the bone marrow to increase the production of neutrophils. It is administered as an injection beginning 24 hours after chemotherapy treatment.

Source: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm317392.htm