The increasing complexity of cancer chemotherapy makes it mandatory that pharmacists be familiar with these highly toxic agents. This column reviews various issues related to the preparation, dispensing, and administration of cancer chemotherapy, both commercially available and investigational.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
SaltzL.B., CoxJ.V., BlankeC.Irinotecan plus fluorouracil and leucovorin for metastatic colorectal cancer. N Engl J Med.2000; 343: 905–14.
2.
SaltzL.B., KanowitzJ., KemenyN.E.Phase I clinical and pharmacokinetic study of irinotecan, fluorouracil, and leucovorin in patients with advanced solid tumors. J Clin Oncol.1996; 14: 2959–67.
3.
Van CutsemE., PozzoC., StarkhammarH.A Phase II study of irinotecan alternated with five days bolus of 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin in the first-line chemotherapy of metastatic colorectal cancer. Ann Oncol.1998; 9: 1199–204.
4.
DouilliardJ Y., CunninghamD., RothA.D.Irinotecan combined with fluorouracil compared with fluorouracil alone as first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer: A multicentre randomised trial. Lancet.2000; 355: 1041–7.
5.
ComellaP., CasarettiF., De VitaF.Concurrent irinotecan and 5-fluorouracil plus levo-folinic acid given every other week in the first-line management of advanced colorectal carcinoma: A phase I study of the Southern Italy Cooperative Oncology Group. Ann Oncol.1999; 10: 915–21.
6.
SobreroA.F., AscheleC., BertinoR.Fluorouracil in colorectal cancer—A tale of two drugs: Implications for biochemical modulation. J Clin Oncol.1997; 15: 368–81.
7.
HeskethP.J., KrisM.G., GrunbergS.M.Proposal for classifying the acute emetogenicity of cancer chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol.1997; 15: 103–9.
8.
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.ASHP therapeutic guidelines on the pharmacologic management of nausea and vomiting in adult and pediatric patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy or undergoing surgery. Am J Health-Syst Pharm.1999; 56: 729–64.
9.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network.NCCN antiemesis practice guidelines. Oncology.1997; 11: 57–89.
10.
GrallaR.J., OsobaD., KrisM.G.Recommendations for the use of antiemetics: Evidence-based, clinical practice guidelines. J Clin Oncol.1999; 17: 2971–94.
11.
American Society of Clinical Oncology.American Society of Clinical Oncology recommendations for the use of hematopoietic colony-stimulating factors: Evidence-based, clinical practice guidelines. J Clin Oncol.1994; 12: 2471–508.
LymanG.H., KudererN., GreeneJ.The economics of febrile neutropenia: Implications for the use of colony-stimulating factors. Eur J Cancer.1998; 34: 1857–64.
14.
LarsonD.L.Treatment of tissue extravasation by antitumor agents. Cancer.1982; 49: 1796–9.
15.
LarsonD.L.What is the appropriate management of tissue extravasation by antitumor agents?Plast Reconstr Surgery.1985; 75: 397–402.
16.
HechtJrGastrointestinal toxicity of irinotecan. Oncology.1998; 12(suppl 6): 72–8.
17.
PattersonW.P., ReamsG.P.Renal and electrolyte abnormalities due to chemotherapy. In: The Chemotherapy Source Book.2nd ed.PerryM.C., ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins; 1996, 727–44.
18.
DiasioR.B., HarrisB.E.Clinical pharmacology of fluorouracil. In: Aronoff GR, ed, Drug Prescribing in Renal Failure: Dosing Guidelines for Adults.4th ed.Philadelphia: American College of Physicians; 1999, 74, 146.
19.
KintzelP.E., DorrR.T.Anticancer drug renal toxicity and elimination: Dosing guidelines for altered renal function. Cancer Treat Rev.1995; 21: 33–64.
20.
KingP.D., PerryM.C.Hepatotoxicity of chemotherapeutic and oncologic agents. Gastroenterol Clin North Am.1995; 24(4): 969–90.
21.
Van groeningerC.J., Van der VijghW.J., BaarsJ.J.Altered pharmacoskinetics and metabolism of CPT-11 in liver dysfunction: A need for guidelines. Clin Cancer Res.2000; 6(4): 1342–6.