Name two growth factors used to support chemotherapy-related neutropenia.

• A. Epoetin alfa and darbepoetin
• B. Interferon gamma and aldesleukin
• C. Filgrastim (G-CSF) and pegfilgrastim
• D. Sargramostim and romiplostim

Answer: (C)

Neutropenia after chemotherapy is most effectively addressed by stimulating the bone marrow to produce neutrophils. The agents used for this purpose are granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF). Filgrastim is a recombinant G-CSF given daily to boost neutrophil production and shorten the duration of neutropenia and the risk of febrile infections. Pegfilgrastim is a pegylated form of G-CSF with a longer half-life, allowing once-per-cycle dosing while achieving the same neutrophil-supporting effect. These options are specifically chosen to prevent neutropenia in chemotherapy patients, helping maintain treatment intensity.

The other choices don’t fit this purpose: epoetins (epoetin alfa, darbepoetin) treat anemia, not neutropenia; interferon gamma and aldesleukin are immunomodulators not used for neutropenia prophylaxis; sargramostim is GM-CSF and broader in action but is not the standard two-for-neutropenia pairing here; romiplostim targets platelets (thrombopoietic agent).