Moxifloxacin in the Prevention of Bacteremia After High-dose Chemotherapy and Transplantation of Peripheral Stem Cells

Because fluoroquinolones have broad antimicrobial coverage, bactericidal activity, high tissue concentrations, oral bioavailability and adequate tolerability and safety profiles, they are ideal candidates as antibacterial prophylaxis in cancer patients. Randomized trials investigating the effect of an antibiotic prophylaxis on patients with intermediate neutropenia have recently been conducted with levofloxacin. The influence of moxifloxacin on the incidence of bacteremia in patients undergoing autologous hematopoetic stem cell transplantation has not been investigated. Moxifloxacin may be another promising alternative, covering a broader spectrum of gram-positive and anaerobic bacteria than first- or secondary generation fluoroquinolones and for instance it is an agent administered only once daily, thus optimizing compliance, a crucial issue in prophylaxis.