Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia Can Cause Additional Burden and Risk for Cancer Patients, Pan-European Survey Reveals

Despite availability of prophylactic treatments, nearly a third of patients surveyed experienced an infection during the course of their chemotherapy. Half of patients with an infection required hospitalisation as

THE HAGUE, Netherlands, April 15, 2010 - a result

Thirty percent of patients surveyed experienced an infection as a result
of chemotherapy, 45 percent of which were associated with neutropenia or
febrile neutropenia (FN) according to findings from a pan-European patient
and nurse survey presented today at the 7th Annual European Oncology Nursing
Society (EONS) Spring Convention. Results suggest that despite the widespread
availability of prophylactic treatments, a significant number of cancer
patients continue to be affected by neutropenia and its consequences.

The Preventing Febrile Neutropenia - Staying on Track with Chemotherapy
survey,(1) found that 57 percent of patients with an infection required
hospitalisation, whilst 37 percent had to have their chemotherapy delayed or
changed as a result of neutropenia, infection or febrile neutropenia. More
than nine out of ten (95 percent) nurses questioned agreed that preventing
infections, including febrile neutropenia, is extremely important to achieve
a successful outcome for patients undergoing chemotherapy.

"The risk of neutropenic infections poses an additional threat to cancer
patients undergoing chemotherapy, at a time when a patient's emotional and
physical energy has to be focused on coping with cancer. The survey results
suggest that the risk of neutropenia and the impact this can have on
patients' clinical care and quality of life must be taken even more
seriously," said Kay Leonard, European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS) Board
Member. "It is important to ensure patients are receiving the most effective
and appropriate prophylactic therapies as early as possible to help achieve
positive treatment outcomes and prevent related complications before they
develop," she added.

When questioned about factors that may impact chemotherapy, almost all
(97 percent) of the nurse respondents agreed that developing an infection or
low white blood cell count can cause a delay in treatment, with interruptions
in chemotherapy impacting overall effectiveness of the treatment (73
percent). Nearly seven out of ten nurses (68 percent) felt that a patient's
chances of successful cancer treatment may be lower if there need to be
changes in chemotherapy treatment, such as reducing the dosage, delaying
treatment or substituting drugs, and over two-thirds (70 percent) of nurses
questioned agreed that lowering the dose may have an impact on the outcome of
treatment, even if the dose is adjusted or increased at a later date (63
percent).

The survey was conducted by the European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS)
in nine European countries to explore current perceptions and issues relating
to cancer therapy and infection, specifically neutropenia/febrile neutropenia
(FN).

Neutropenia means that there is an abnormally low level of
infection-fighting white blood cells (neutrophils) in the body and it is a
common and potentially dangerous side effect of some chemotherapeutic
regimens, leading to a heightened risk of infection, sometimes
life-threatening amongst cancer patients. Severe neutropenia and febrile
neutropenia require hospitalisation in high-risk cases. A secondary outcome
of febrile neutropenia can be the delay in scheduled chemotherapy, keeping
patients from getting their full dose at the right time with a potential
impact on chemotherapy outcome. Hospitalisation also results in an
interruption to a patient's daily life, versus their planned chemotherapy
treatment, which usually takes place on an outpatient basis.

Treatments are available to prevent and manage chemotherapy-induced
infections and significant progress has been made in the development of
"proactive" therapies to help manage side effects of chemotherapy. Guidelines
developed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer
(EORTC) state that recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factors
(G-CSFs) are available to treat or prevent neutropenia and therefore reduce
associated complications.(2) This is reflected in 54 percent of nurse survey
respondents who confirmed using G-CSFs prophylactically to prevent febrile
neutropenia in patients receiving chemotherapy. An additional 27 percent of
nurses reported using both G-CSFs and antibiotics.

However, 85 percent of nurse respondents expressed concerns regarding
patients' concordance to treatment. Moreover, it was reported by patients in
the survey that access to and provision of treatments that prevent infection
varies widely across Europe.

"Up to 1 in 10 patients hospitalised with febrile neutropenia might die
as a result of it(3) - this is a serious condition and it is vital that
patients are provided with information about their risk of neutropenia and
developing an infection, as a result of their chemotherapy," said Dr. Matti
S. Aapro, Director, Multidisciplinary Oncology Institute, Genolier,
Switzerland. "The prevention of neutropenia offers patients the possibility
to continue with their chemotherapy schedule uninterrupted, increasing the
probability of a more successful treatment outcome. G-CSFs, administered once
per chemotherapy cycle, may encourage patient compliance if used
prophylactically," he added.

A significant number of patient respondents did not appear to fully
understand their risk of developing febrile neutropenia. Conversely, 97
percent of nurses questioned stated that they discuss the personal risks of
getting an infection/febrile neutropenia with patients sometime before,
during or after their chemotherapy, which suggests a need for improvement in
communication between patients and their healthcare providers.

The Preventing Febrile Neutropenia - Staying on Track with Chemotherapy
survey was conducted by PatientView in collaboration with the European
Oncology Nursing Society (EONS), and is sponsored by Amgen. This research is
representative of the company's ongoing efforts to assess better ways to
reduce neutropenia and its consequences in patients with cancer.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

About the survey

The survey was conducted by The European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS)
in association with PatientView, between September and December 2009. A total
of 473 patients and 217 nurses in nine European countries (Austria, Belgium,
France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, UK & Ireland) were surveyed to explore
current perceptions and issues relating to cancer therapy and infection,
specifically neutropenia/febrile neutropenia.

About The European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS)

The European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS) has provided professional
support to cancer nurses since 1984. Registered as an independent, not for
profit organisation, EONS represents the voice of more than 22,000 cancer
nurses from 29 European countries. With headquarters in Brussels, EONS
assists in the promotion of healthy European communities through the
development of activities that educate, support and empower cancer nurses,
enabling them to provide the best possible patient care.

Visit their website: www.cancernurse.eu or contact the EONS office
at: eons.secretariat@cancernurse.eu or +32-2-779-9923.

About PatientView

PatientView is an independent researcher and publisher that works closely
with patient organisations. PatientView has conducted hundreds of surveys of
patients and patient organisations over the years. These surveys, and the
projects they have informed, have contributed to changes in government
policy, promoted patient-public consultation, supported academics and
researchers, and raised public awareness of specific disease areas.

About Amgen

Amgen discovers, develops and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A
biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to
realise the new science's promise by bringing safe and effective medicines
from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed
the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the
fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other serious
illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen
remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's
lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our vital medicines,
visit www.amgen.com.

(1) Amgen data on file. Preventing Febrile Neutropenia - Staying on Track
with Chemotherapy survey. Conducted by PatientView between September and
December 2009

(2) Aapro, MS et al. EORTC guidelines for the use of granulocyte-colony
stimulating factor to reduce the incidence of chemotherapy-induced febrile
neutropenia in adult patients with lymphomas and solid tumours. Eur J Cancer.
2006 Oct;42(15):2433-53

(3) Kuderer N, Dale D, Crawford J, et al Mortality, morbidity, and cost
associated with febrile neutropenia in adult cancer patients. Cancer
2006;106:2258-2266

Media, Amgen +41-(0)-41-3692-518, tviering at amgen.com