Should I discontinue Robociclib (Abemaciclib) due to neutropenia with a neutrophil count of 1.00 x 10^9/L?

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From the Guidelines

Based on your neutrophil count of 1.00 x 10^9/L, you should temporarily discontinue ribociclib and contact your oncologist immediately. The provided evidence does not directly address ribociclib, but it does offer guidance on managing cytopenias associated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment 1. Although ribociclib is not a TKI used in CML, its mechanism can cause neutropenia, and the principle of managing cytopenias may still apply. Key points to consider include:

  • Monitoring blood counts regularly during treatment with ribociclib
  • Temporarily discontinuing the medication if neutrophil counts drop below a certain threshold
  • Restarting at a reduced dose once the neutrophil count recovers
  • Being vigilant for signs of infection due to increased risk with low neutrophil counts It's crucial to follow the specific guidance of your healthcare provider, as they will evaluate your situation and determine the best course of action, which may include dose adjustments or additional supportive care. The management strategy should prioritize minimizing the risk of infection and ensuring your safety while on ribociclib treatment. Your oncologist will consider the severity of neutropenia, the underlying cause, and your overall health status when deciding how to proceed with your treatment plan.

From the FDA Drug Label

KISQALI causes concentration-dependent neutropenia. In patients with early breast cancer (NATALEE) who received KISQALI plus NSAI, 94%, including 45% of Grade 3 or 4, had a decrease in neutrophil counts (based on laboratory findings), 63% had an adverse reaction of neutropenia, and 0. 3% had febrile neutropenia. Perform a complete blood count (CBC) in all patients before initiating KISQALI Monitor CBC every 2 weeks for the first 2 cycles, at the beginning of each subsequent 4 cycles, and as clinically indicated. Based on the severity of the neutropenia, KISQALI may require dose interruption, reduction, or discontinuation as described in Table 6 [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].

*Neutrophil count is 1.00 10^9/l, which is considered severe neutropenia.

  • The decision to discontinue robociclib (KISQALI) should be based on the severity of the neutropenia and the patient's overall clinical condition.
  • According to the label, treatment discontinuation due to neutropenia was required in 1.1% of patients with early breast cancer and 1% of patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer.
  • It is recommended to discontinue robociclib if the neutropenia is severe (Grade 3 or 4) and does not resolve with dose interruption or reduction, as described in Table 6 of the dosage and administration section 2.

From the Research

Neutrophil Count and Ribociclib Treatment

  • The user's neutrophil count is 1.00 * 10^9/l, which is lower than the normal range.
  • According to the study 3, neutropenia is defined as an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) less than 1.5 * 10^9/l.
  • The user's ANC is below this threshold, indicating neutropenia.

Discontinuing Ribociclib Treatment

  • The study 4 suggests that lowering the dose of ribociclib can mitigate the decrease in ANC and neutropenia risk.
  • However, it does not provide a clear recommendation for discontinuing treatment based on a specific ANC threshold.
  • The study 5 emphasizes the importance of determining the cause of neutropenia and establishing a mature neutrophil storage pool to guide therapeutic decision-making.

Considerations for Neutropenia Management

  • The study 3 recommends treating patients with acute febrile neutropenia with antibiotics and considering prophylactic treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for patients at high risk of severe neutropenia.
  • The study 6 provides guidelines for the use of hematopoietic growth factors, including G-CSF, in the management of febrile neutropenia.
  • The study 7 highlights the importance of evaluating and treating neutropenia in extremely low birth weight neonates, but its findings may not be directly applicable to the user's situation.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

How I diagnose and treat neutropenia.

Current opinion in hematology, 2016

Research

Diagnosis and therapeutic decision-making for the neutropenic patient.

Hematology. American Society of Hematology. Education Program, 2021

Research

NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Hematopoietic Growth Factors, Version 1.2022.

Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN, 2022

Research

Low blood neutrophil concentrations among extremely low birth weight neonates: data from a multihospital health-care system.

Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association, 2006

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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