Pegfilgrastim
Generic name: pegfilgrastim, pegfilgrastim-jmbd, pegfilgrastim-apgf, pegfilgrastim-cbqv, pegfilgrastim-bmez
Brand names: Neulasta, Neulasta Onpro, Fulphila, Nyvepria, Udenyca, Ziextenzo
Dosage form: subcutaneous injection
Drug class:Colony stimulating factors
What is pegfilgrastim?
Pegfilgrastim is a man-made version of granulocyte colony-stimulating (G-CSF), which is a growth factor produced by your body. G-CSF stimulates your body to produce a type of white blood cell, called neutrophils, that's important for fighting off infection.
It is used to reduce the risk of infection in some cancer patients and to increase your chances of surviving after exposure to high doses of radiation that affect your ability to make blood cells.
Pegfilgrastim is a leukocyte growth factor that works by binding to a receptor on immature cells called hematopoietic cells, which can develop into any type of blood cell. It makes them grow and turn into functioning neutrophils.
Pegfilgrastim is a pegylated or long-acting form of recombinant G-CSF, which means that it stays in your body for longer and doesn't need to be administered as often.
Pegfilgramstim is a type of biological drug. The original version of pegfilgrastim is called Neulasta and it was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002.
Biosimilars of pegfilgrastim are also available. Biosimilar versions of pegfilgrastim are highly similar to Neulasta and have the same effect on a person, but they are not identical. Biosimilars of pegfilgrastim include:
- Fulphila (pegfilgrastim-jmbd) approved in 2018
- Nyvepria (pegfilgrastim-apgf) approved in 2020
- Udenyca (pegfilgrastim-cbqv) approved in 2018
- Ziextenzo (pegfilgrastim-bmez) approved in 2019
Neulasta and all of the biosimlar versions of pegfilgrastim are given by subcutaneous injection using a single-dose prefilled syringe. The Neulasta brand of pegfilgrastim can also be given by subcutaneous injection using an on-body injector called Neulasta Onpro.
What is pegfilgrastim used for?
The Neulasta brand of pegfilgrastim is a prescription medication used to:
- Decrease the risk of infection, demonstrated by the presence of febrile neutropenia, in patients with non-myeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive anti-cancer drugs that are likely to cause febrile neutropenia.
- Increase survival in patients acutely exposed to myelosuppressive doses of radiation (Hematopoietic Subsyndrome of Acute Radiation Syndrome). The effectiveness of Neulasta for this use has only been studied in animals, because it could not be studied in people.
Biosimilar versions of pegfilgrastim, including Fulphila, Nyvepria, Udenyca and Ziextenzo, are only approved for decreasing the risk of infection in patients with non-myeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive anti-cancer drugs. They are not approved for use in people acutely exposed to myelosuppressive doses of radiation.
Pegfilgrastim is not approved for use for the mobilization of peripheral blood progenitor cells for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
