Low pretherapy skeletal muscle mass index is associated with an increased risk of febrile neutropenia in patients with esophageal cancer receiving docetaxel plus cisplatin+5-fluorouracil (DCF) therapy

PurposeDocetaxel + cisplatin + 5-fluorouracil (DCF) therapy, a frequently prescribed regimen for esophageal cancer, is associated with a high risk of febrile neutropenia (FN). This study investigated whether a low skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) is an independent risk factor for FN.MethodsThis retrospective, observational study investigated the SMI of patients with esophageal cancer who received DCF therapy between March 2018 and July 2020. Based on the Asian sarcopenia criteria, patients were divided into two groups: high and low SMI (SMI of < 7.0 and 5.7 kg/m(2) for males and females, respectively). The incidence of FN was then compared between the two groups.ResultsThirty-nine patients (20 and 19 in the high- and low-SMI groups, respectively) were included in this study. The incidence of FN was significantly higher in the low-SMI group (63.2% vs. 20.0%, P = 0.006). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that a low SMI was an independent risk factor for FN (odds ratio, 7.178; 95% confidence interval, 1.272-40.507; P = 0.026). In addition, the frequency of dose reduction in DCF therapy was significantly higher in the low-SMI group (68.4% vs. 35.0%, P = 0.037).ConclusionLow SMI is an independent risk factor for FN in patients with esophageal cancer receiving DCF therapy.

Automated summary

This study investigated whether a low skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) is an independent risk factor for febrile neutropenia (FN) in patients with esophageal cancer receiving DCF therapy. The results showed that the incidence of FN was significantly higher in the low-SMI group, and low SMI was identified as an independent risk factor for FN.