Vitale, K.M., Violago, L., Cofnas, P., Bishop, J., Jin, Z., Bhatia, M., ... Satwani, P. (2014). Impact of palifermin on incidence of oral mucositis and healthcare utilization in children undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for malignant diseases. Pediatric Transplantation, 18, 211–216.
To determine if administration of palifermin during autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) in children will lower incidence of oral mucositis and shorter duration of hospitalization
Patients received palifermin 60 µg/kg/day IV for the three consecutive days prior to myeloablative conditioning and for the three consecutive days after the end of chemotherapy. All patients received six total doses. Treating physicians were responsible for the decision to administer palifermin. Data were collected using electronic and paper medical charts.
No statistical difference in grades III-IV mucositis (p = 1.0), lower incidence in grades III–IV (p = 0.047) in patients receiving solid tumor regimen, and no difference in length of hospitalization
Palifermin administration did not result in a statistically significant decrease in incidence and grade of oral mucositis, nor did it result in shorter hospitalization.
High doses of chemotherapy prior to AHSCT causes significant morbidity due to oral mucositis. A larger study is needed to confirm findings of lower incidence of grades III and IV mucositis in the solid tumor regimens.