The increasing complexity of cancer chemotherapy heightens the requirement that pharmacists be familiar with these highly toxic agents. This column will review various issues related to preparation, dispensing, and administration of cancer chemotherapy. It will also serve as a review of various agents, both commercially available and investigational, used to treat malignant diseases.
The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as official or reflecting the views of the US Department of the Army or the Department of Defense.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
The Complete Library of NCCN Oncology Practice Guidelines [book on CD-ROM]. Rockledge, PA: NCCN colon cancer practice guidelines v.1.2005. National Comprehensive Cancer Network; 2004.
2.
AndreT., BoniC., Mounedji-BoudiafL.Oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and leucovorin as adjuvant treatment for colon cancer.N Engl J Med.2004; 350(23): 2343–2351.
3.
GoldbergR.M., SargentD.J., MortonR.F.A randomized controlled trial of fluorouracil plus leucovorin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin combinations in patients with previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer.J Clin Oncol.2004; 22(1): 23–30.
4.
de GramontA., FigerA., SeymourM.Leucovorin and fluorouracil with and without oxaliplatin as first-line treatment in advanced colorectal cancer.J Clin Oncol.2000; 18(16): 2938–2947.
5.
de GramontA., TournigandC., LouvetC.Oxaliplatin, folinic acid, and 5-fluorouracil (FOLFOX) in pretreated patients with metastatic advanced cancer. The GERCOD.Rev Med Interne.1997; 18(10): 769–775.
6.
Maindrault-GoebelF., LouvetC., AndreT.Oxaliplatin added to the simplified bimonthly leucovorin and 5-fluorouracil regimen as second-line therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (FOLFOX 6). GERCOR.Eur J Cancer.1999; 35(9): 1338–1342.
7.
Maindrault-GoebelF., de GramontA., LouvetC.High-dose intensity oxaliplatin added to the simplified biweekly leucovorin and fluorouracil regimen as second-line therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (FOLFOX 7).Eur J Cancer.2001; 37(8): 1000–1005.
8.
TournigandC., AndreT., ChirivellaI.5-fluorouracil, folinic acid, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) in poor prognosis patients with metastatic colorectal cancer [abstract].J Clin Oncol. 2004 ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings (Post-Meeting Edition)2004; 22(suppl 14S):3565.
9.
GoldbergR.M., SargentD.J., MortonR.F.N9741: FOLFOX (oxaliplatin(Oxal)/5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/leucovorin (LV) or reduced dose R-IFL (CPT-11 + 5-FU/LV) in advanced colorectal cancer (CRC): final efficacy data from an intergroup study.J Clin Oncol.2004; 22(suppl 14S):3621.
10.
AndreT., FigerA., CervantesA.FOLFOX7 compared to FOLFOX4. Preliminary results of the randomized optimox study.Proc Am Soc Clin Oncol.2003; 22(abstract 1016):253.
11.
AndreT., BensmaineM.A., LouvetC.Multicenter phase II study of bimonthly high-dose leucovorin, fluorouracil infusion, and oxaliplatin for metastatic colorectal cancer resistant to the same leucovorin and fluorouracil regimen.J Clin Oncol.1999; 17(11): 3560–3568.
12.
RothenbergM.L., OzaA.M., BigelowR.H.Superiority of oxaliplatin and fluorouracil-leucovorin compared with either therapy alone in patients with progressive colorectal cancer after irinotecan and fluorouracil-leucovorin: interim results of a phase III trial.J Clin Oncol.2003; 21(11): 2059–2069.
13.
GarayC.A., KemenyN., GurtlerJ.Randomized trial of bolus plus infusional 5-FU/leucovorin (LV5FU2) with/without oxaliplatin (FOLFOX4) after sequential fluoropyrimidine and CPT-11 in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer (ACRC).Proc Am Soc Clin Oncol.2003; 22(abstract 1019):254.
14.
The Complete Library of NCCN Oncology Practice Guidelines [book on CD-ROM]. Rockledge, PA: NCCN antiemesis practice guidelines v.1.2004. National Comprehensive Cancer Network; 2004.
15.
HeskethP.J., KrisM.G., GrunbergS.M.Proposal for classifying the acute emetogenicity of cancer chemotherapy.J Clin Oncol.1997; 15(1): 103–109.
BrandiG., PantaleoM.A., GalliC.Hypersensitivity reactions related to oxaliplatin (OHP).Br J Cancer.2003; 89(3): 477–481.
18.
QureshiK.M., LeichmanC., BerdzikJ.Incidence of hypersensitivity reactions to oxaliplatin (OXP) at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) and protocol for desensitization.Proc Am Soc Clin Oncol.2003; 22(abstract 3173):789.
19.
DoldF., HoeyD., CarberryM.Hypersensitivity in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma undergoing chemotherapy with oxaliplatin.Proc Am Soc Clin Oncol.2002 (abstract 1478).
20.
LymanG.H., BalducciL.A cost analysis of hematopoietic colony-stimulating factors.Oncology.1995; 9(11 suppl):85–91.
21.
LymanG.H.Balancing the benefits and costs of colony-stimulating factors: a current perspective.Semin Oncol.2003; 30(4 suppl 13):10–17.
22.
OzerH., ArmitageJ.O., BennettC.L.2000 update of recommendations for the use of hematopoietic colony-stimulating factors: evidence-based, clinical practice guidelines.J Clin Oncol.2000; 18(20): 3558–3585.
23.
KretzschmarA., Thuss-PatienceP.C., PinkD.Extravasations (E) of oxaliplatin (O).Proc Am Soc Clin Oncol.2002 (abstract 2900).
24.
BensonAB3rd, AjaniJ.A., CatalanoR.B.Recommended guidelines for the treatment of cancer treatment-induced diarrhea.J Clin Oncol.2004; 22(14): 2918–2926.
25.
GamelinE., GamelinL., BossiL.Clinical aspects and molecular basis of oxaliplatin neurotoxicity: current management and development of preventive measures.Semin Oncol.2002; 29(5 suppl 15):21–33.
26.
GamelinL., Boisdron-CelieM., DelvaR.Prevention of oxaliplatin-related neurotoxicity by calcium and magnesium infusions: a retrospective study of 161 patients receiving oxaliplatin combined with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin for advanced colorectal cancer.Clin Cancer Res.2004; 10: 4055–4061.
27.
TakimotoC.H., RemickS.C., SharmaS.Dose-escalating and pharmacological study of oxaliplatin in adult cancer patients with impaired renal function: a National Cancer Institute organ dysfunction working group study.J Clin Oncol.2003; 21(14): 2664–2672.
28.
DoroshowJ.H., SynoldT.W., GandaraD.Pharmacology of oxaliplatin in solid tumor patients with hepatic dysfunction: a preliminary report of the National Cancer Institute Organ Dysfunction Working Group.Semin Oncol.2003; 30(4 suppl 15):14–19.
29.
Rubbia-BrandtL., AudardV., SartorettiP.Severe hepatic sinsuoidal obstruction associated with oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.Ann Oncol.2004; 15(3): 460–466.
30.
KingP.D., PerryM.C.Hepatotoxicity of chemotherapeutic and oncologic agents.Gastroenterol Clin North Am.1995; 24(4): 969–989.