Febuxostat as a Prophylaxis for Tumor Lysis Syndrome in Children with Hematological Malignancies.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to determine if febuxostat could prevent tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) in children who received induction chemotherapy for hematologic malignancies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed in 45 pediatric patients with hematological malignancies who received febuxostat (10 mg daily, n=20) or allopurinol (300 mg/m2 daily, n=25) as a prophylaxis for TLS.

RESULTS: A significant decrease of serum uric acid (UA) level was observed in patients with febuxostat over the first 2 days (6.6±3.8 mg/dl vs. 4.5±2.8 mg/dl, p<0.001). The febuxostat group also showed significant reduction of urinary UA/creatinine ratios during the first two days of treatment (0.98±0.85 vs. 0.51±0.26, p=0.010). No significant differences were observed between febuxostat-treated and allopurinol-treated patients regarding the percent change in serum UA level.

CONCLUSION: Febuxostat had a notable effect in reducing serum UA level in children with hematological malignancies.