A Guideline to Prevent Infection in Adults with Cancer-Related Immunosuppression

An updated joint guideline from ASCO and IDSA on antimicrobial prophylaxis for patients with neutropenia

Sponsoring Organizations: The American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)

Target Population: Adults with neutropenia as a result of cancer treatment

Background and Objective

ASCO defines profound neutropenia as absolute neutrophil count <100 cells/µL and protracted neutropenia as lasting ≥7 days. ASCO and IDSA have updated recommendations that focus on four key clinical issues regarding prophylaxis of fever and neutropenia in adults with cancer-related immunosuppression.

Bacterial Prophylaxis

Fluoroquinolone prophylaxis is recommended during the period of neutropenia for patients at high risk for fever or with expected profound and protracted neutropenia. Most of these patients have hematol…

Reviewing Author

Daniel Kaul, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNobelpharma; Pfizer

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Transplantation (Program Committee)