Neulasta vs Neupogen

[cheri]

Hi all
My Dr mentioned something about Neulasta promoting AML as opposed to Neupogen.....anyone know anything about this? A little unsettling, as he gave me Neulasta twice already, post Vidaza. :(
This month I am back on Neupogen daily for a week.
Dr also mentioned the large hospital that treated me for 2 1/2 months last year won't return his calls...:mad: I think his experience is limited in MDS treatment...but he's the only game in town!
As always, any feedback is appreciated!

[cheri]

Does anyone know of negative effects of Neulasta, re AML/MDS?
My Dr suggested (after 2 rounds already!) that I should be on Neupogen as Neulasta might stimulate leukemia cells..:confused:
Any information greatly appreciated..

[Birgitta-A]

Hi Cheri,
Now and then I have read about the possibility of increased risk for AML transformation when patients get granulocyt colony stimulating factors like Neupogen or Neulasta. The risk is probably very low and I have not read anything about a difference between the two drugs.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20673585
Kind regards
Birgitta-A
2 Neupogen injections/week Sept 2007 - June 2010 since then 3 inj/week less than 5 % blast cells

[cheri]

Birgitta--you are the best! You are like having a second opinion in my back pocket, 24/7!
This forum is lucky to have you!
And sorry about the double post--my computer stuttered!

[Birgitta-A]

Hi Cheri,
Thank you for the kind words :)! You know it is dangerous to have very low WBCs too since you can get all kinds of infections that will decrease your counts perhaps for a long time. You have probably seen that I think doctors in the US wait too long before they give Neupogen or similar drugs.
Kind regards
Birgitta-A