Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Cefepime alone Versus Ceftazidime Plus Tobramycin in Cancer Patients with Febrile Neutropenia

Jung, Hyun Wook; Chae, Je Wook; Kang, Mi Ra; Yang, Jung Chae; Moon, Chi Sook; Ki, Hyun Kyun; Chang, Hyun Ha; Oh, Won Sup; Kim, Kihyun; Peck, Kyong Ran; Lee, Nam Yong; Song, Jae Hoon

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy has been recommended as an empirical regimen in cancer patients with febrile neutropenia. Cefepime is a fourth generation cephalosporin with good activity against both gram-positive cocci and gram-negative bacilli.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
To compare the efficacy and safety of cefepime alone with ceftazidime plus tobramycin as empirical regimen for adult cancer patients with febrile neutropenia, a randomized, open label, comparative trial was performed. If the patient showed clinical improvent 72 hours, antibiotic could be changed to oral ciprofloxacin. Clinical and microbiological responses were determined at 72 hours and at the end of therapy. To investigate the antimicrobial resistance of viridans streptococci, swab cultures were obtained from throat in all enrolled patients and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed by using microdilution method according to the NCCLS.
RESULTS
A total of 89 patients were enrolled. Forty-eight patients received cefepime alone (CA), and 41 patients received ceftazidime plus tobramycin (CT). Demographic and baseline clinical characteristics were similar in both groups (P>0.05). The initial clinical success rate at day 2-4 in group CA (91.7%) was similar with that in CT group (85.4%) (P=0.31). At the end of therapy, the final clinical success rate in CA group (91.7%) was similar to that in CT group (100%) (P=0.15). In 18 patients, with microbiologically defined infections, the eradication rate was 100% in both groups. Adverse events including liver dysfunction (21.3%) and renal dysfunction (2.2%), were similar in both groups (P=0.87). Viridans streptococci were isolated from the throat cultures in 25 cases, and all of these strains were susceptible to penicillin (MIC(90)0.12 microgram/mL), cefepime (1 microgram/mL), and vancomycin (0.12 microgram/mL).
CONCLUSION
Efficacy and safety of cefepime monotherapy was comparable to the combination of ceftazidime and tobramycin. It could be used as an alternative empirical regimen for treating cancer patients with febrile neutropenia.