Background Bendamustine is approved in Spain for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), Non Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) and multiple myeloma (MM). The most frequent adverse reactions are haematological. Usually patients require supportive treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF) for neutropenia and erythropoietins for anaemia.

Purpose To describe the approach to neutropenia and anaemia caused by bendamustine in patients diagnosed with NHL, CLL and MM in our Hospital

Materials and Methods Descriptive and retrospective study of patients treated with bendamustine between November 2008 and February 2012 in our hospital. We collected data on age, sex, diagnosis, neutrophils count and haemoglobin before treatment and after receiving bendamustine, the proportion of patients requiring G-CSF (filgrastim or pegfilgrastim) or erythropoietins (darbepoetin alfa). Average number of G-CSF and erythropoietins doses.

Results A total of 38 patients received bendamustine, of whom 13 were women and 25 were men, with a mean age of 67 years old. 28 patients were diagnosed with NHL, 4 with MM and 6 with LLC. Before treatment, the neutrophils count was 4,846/mm³ and haemoglobin 11.7 g/dL. Later these figures were 2,440/mm³ for neutrophils and haemoglobin 11 g/dl. 73.7% of patients required G-CSF and 10.5% erythropoietins. The median number of doses of G-CSF and darbepoetin alfa respectively were 6 and 2.5.

Conclusions Bendamustine appears well tolerated. Supportive treatment with G-CSF is required in the majority of patients to maintain neutrophil count. This is not the case for anaemia, which occurs less frequently, requiring less rescue treatment. However these patients require close monitoring during treatment.

No conflict of interest.