2.Statistical procedures
Survival rates were computed based on Kaplan–Meier estimates of the survival function. Differences in survival rates were tested using the log-rank test for comparisons between two or more groups. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were analyzed using Cox’s proportional hazard models. The incidence of FN during MC or during previous periods of conventional chemotherapy was compared in 9 patients using Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test. All statistical analyses were performed using EZR, which is a modified version of the R Commander utility designed to add statistical functions frequently used in biostatistics.16 A p-value less than 0.05 was set to indicate statistical significance.