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.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network.Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Gastric cancer, Version 1.2005. Available at: http://www.nccn.org. Accessed on July 11, 2005.
2.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network.Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma, Version 1.2004 Available at: http://www.nccn.org. Accessed on July 11, 2005.
3.
MacdonaldJ.S., WoolleyP.V., SmytheT., UfnoW., HothD., ScheinP.S.5-fluorouracil, Adriamycin, and mitomycin-C (FAM) combination chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. Cancer.1979; 44(1): 42–47.
4.
MacdonaldJ.S., ScheinP.S., WoolleyP.V.5-Fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and mitomycin (FAM) combination chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer. Ann Intern Med.1980; 93(4): 533–536.
5.
HaimN., CohenY., HonigmanJ., RobinsonE.Treatment of advanced gastric carcinoma with 5-fluorouracil Adriamycin, and mitomycin C (FAM). Cancer Chemother Pharmacol.1982; 8(3): 277–280.
6.
PanettiereF.J., HaasC., McDonaldDrug combinations in the treatment of gastric adenocarcinoma: a randomized Southwest Oncology Group study. J Clin Oncol.1984; 2(5): 420–424.
7.
DouglassH.O., LavinP.T., GousdsmitA., KlaasesenD.J., PaulA.R.An Eastern cooperative Oncology Group Evaluation of combination of methyl-CCNU, mitomycin C, Adriamycin, and 5-fluorouracil in advanced measurable gastric cancer (EST 2277). J Clin Oncol.1984; 2(12): 1372–1381.
8.
CullinanS.A., MoertelC.G., FlemingT.R.A comparison of three chemotherapeutic regimens in the treatment of advanced pancreatic and gastric carcinoma. Fluorouracil vs fluorouracil and doxorubicin vs fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and mitomycin. JAMA.1985; 253(14): 2061–2067.
9.
CoombesR.C., ScheinP.S., ChilversC.E.A randomized trial comparing adjuvant fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and mitomycin with no treatment in operable gastric cancer. International Collaborative Cancer Group. J Clin Oncol.1990; 8(8): 1362–1369.
10.
WilsJ.A., KleinH.O., WagenerD.J.Sequential high-dose methotrexate and fluorouracil combined with doxorubicina step ahead in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer: a trial of the European Organization for research and treatment if cancer gastrointestinal tract cooperative group. J Clin Oncol.1991; 9(5): 827–831.
11.
BitranJ.C., DesserR.K., KozloffM.F., BillingsA.A., ShapiroC.M.Treatment of metastatic pancreatic and gastric adenocarcinomas with 5-fluorouracil, Adriamycin, and mitomycin C (FAM). Cancer Treat Rep.1979; 63(11-12): 2049–2051.
12.
A comparative clinical assessment of combination chemotherapy in the management of advanced gastric carcinoma: The Gastrointestinal Tumor study group. Cancer.1982; 49(7): 1362–1366.
13.
HaimN., EpelbaumR., CohenY., RobinsonE.Further studies on the treatment of advanced gastric cancer by 5-fluorouracil, Adriamycin (doxorubicin), and mitomycin C (modified FAM). Cancer.1984; 54(9): 1999–2002.
14.
SmithF.P., HothD.F., LevinB.5-fluorouracil, Adriamycin, and mitomycin C (FAM) in the treatment of advanced pancreatic carcinoma. Cancer.1980; 46(9): 2014–2018.
15.
GibsonM.K., HolcroftC.A., KvolsL.K., HallerD.Phase II study of 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and mitomycin C for metastatic small bowel adenocarcinoma. Oncologist.2005; 10(2): 132–137.
16.
ButlerT.P., MacDonaldJ.S., SmithF.P., SmithL.F., WoolleyP.V., ScheinP.S.5-fluorouracil, Adriamycin, and mitomycin-C (FAM) chemotherapy for adenocarcinoma of the lung. Cancer.1979; 43(4): 1183–1188.
17.
GoldbergR.M., SmithF.P., UenoW., AhlgrenJ.D., ScheinP.S.5-fluorouracil, Adriamycin, and mitomycin in the treatment of adenocarcinoma of unknown primary. J Clin Oncol.1986; 4(3): 395–399.
18.
HeskethP.J., KrisM.G., GrunbergS.M.Proposal for classifying the acute emetogenicity of cancer chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol.1997; 15(1): 103–109.
19.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network.NCCN antiemesis practice guidelines. Available at: http://www.nccn.org. Accessed on March 8, 2005.
LymanG.H.Balancing the benefits and costs of colony-stimulating factors: a current perspective. Semin Oncol.2003; 30(Suppl 13): 10–17.
24.
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.
25.
LarsonD.L.Treatment of tissue extravasation by antitumor agents. Cancer.1982; 49(9): 1796–1799.
26.
LarsonD.L.What is the appropriate management of tissue extravasation by antitumor agents?Plast Reconstr Surg.1985; 75(3): 397–405.
27.
BensonA.B., AjaniJ.A., CatalanoR.B.Recommended guidelines for the treatment of cancer treatment-induced diarrhea. J Clin Oncol2004; 22(14): 2918–2926.
28.
PattersonW.P., ReamsG.P.Renal and electrolyte abnormalities due to chemotherapy. In: PerryM.C. ed. The Chemotherapy Sourcebook.3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2001: 494–504.
29.
KintzelP.E., DorrR.T.Anticancer drug renal toxicity and elimination: dosing guidelines for altered renal function. Cancer Treat Rev.1995; 21(1): 33–64.
30.
DoneliM.G., ZucchettiM., MuzoneE., D'IncalciM., CrosignaniA.Pharmacokinetics of anticancer agents in patients with impaired liver function. Eur J Cancer.1998; 34(1): 33–46.
31.
MICROMEDEX Healthcare Series, DrugDex Drug Evaluation. Available at: http://www.micromedex.com. Accessed on March 10, 2005.
32.
KingP.D., PerryM.C.Hepatotoxicity of chemotherapy. Oncologist.2001; 6(2): 162–176.
