The increasing complexity of cancer chemotherapy now requires that pharmacists be familiar with these highly toxic agents. This column will review various issues related to preparation, dispensing, and administration of cancer chemotherapy, and review various agents, both commercially available and investigational, used to treat malignant diseases.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the official policy of the Department of Army, Department of Defense, or US Government.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network.NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology – Soft Tissue Sarcoma. V.2.2007. http://www.nccn.org. Accessed July 14, 2007.
2.
DelaneyT.F., SpiroI.J., SuitH.D.Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy for large extremity soft-tissue sarcomas. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys.2003; 56(4): 1117–1127.
3.
KraybillW.G., HarrisJ., SpiroI.J.Phase II study of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy in the management of high-risk, highgrade, soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities and body wall: Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Trial 9514. J Clin Oncol.2006; 24(4): 619–625.
4.
EliasA.D., AntmanK.H.Doxorubicin, ifosfamide, and dacarbazine (AID) with mesna uroprotection for advanced untreated sarcoma: a phase I study. Cancer Treat Rep.1986; 70(7): 827–833.
5.
EliasA., RyanL., SulkesA., CollinsJ., AisnerJ., AntmanK.H.Response to mesna, doxorubicin, ifosfamide, and dacarbazine in 108 patients with metastatic or unresectable sarcoma and no prior chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol.1989; 7(9): 1208–1216.
6.
AntmanK., CrowleyJ., BalcerzakS.P.An intergroup phase III randomized study of doxorubicin and dacarbazine with or without ifosfamide and mesna in advanced soft tissue and bone sarcomas. J Clin Oncol.1993; 11(7): 1276–1285.
7.
BuiB.N., ChevallierB., ChevreauC.Efficacy of lenograstim on hematologic tolerance to MAID chemotherapy in patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma and consequences on treatment dose-intensity. J Clin Oncol.1995; 13(10): 2629–2636.
8.
ChevreauC., BuiB.N., ChevallierB.Phase I-II trial of intensification of the MAID regimen with support of lenograstim (rHuG-CSF) in patients with advanced soft-tissue sarcoma (STS). Am J Clin Oncol.1999; 22(3): 267–272.
9.
AntmanK., CrowleyJ., BalcerzakS.P.A Southwest Oncology Group and Cancer and Leukemia Group B phase II study of doxorubicin, dacarbazine, ifosfamide, and mesna in adults with advanced osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma. Cancer.1998; 82(7): 1288–1295.
10.
HeskethP.J., KrisM.G., GrunbergS.M.Proposal for classifying the acute emetogenicity of cancer chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol.1997; 15(1): 103–109.
11.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network.NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology - Antiemesis. V.1.2007. http://www.nccn.org. Accessed July 14, 2007.
12.
Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer.Antiemetic Guidelines.2007. http://www.mascc.org. Accessed July 19, 2007.
13.
KrisM.G., HeskethP.J., SomerfieldM.R.; American Society of Clinical Oncology. American Society of Clinical Oncology Guideline for Antiemetics in Oncology: update 2006. J Clin Oncol.2006; 24(18): 2932–2947.
14.
GelingO., EichlerH.G.Should 5-Hydroxytryptamine-3 receptor antagonists be administered beyond 24 hours after chemotherapy to prevent delayed emesis? Systematic re-evaluation of clinical evidence and drug cost implications. J Clin Oncol.2005; 23(6): 1289–1294.
15.
TerreyJ.P., AaproM.S.The activity of granisetron in patients who had previously failed ondansetron antiemetic therapy. Eur J Clin Res.1996; 8: 281–288.
16.
CarmichaelJ., KeizerH.J., CupissolD., MilliezJ., ScheidelP., SchindlerA.E.Use of granisetron in patients refractory to previous treatment with antiemetics. Anticancer Drugs.1998; 9(5): 381–385.
17.
de WitR., de BoerA.C., vd LindenG.H., StoterG., SparreboomA., VerweijJ.Effective cross-over to granisetron after failure to ondansetron, a randomized double blind study in patients failing ondansetron plus dexamethasone during the first 24 hours following highly emetogenic chemotherapy. Br J Cancer.2001; 85(8): 1099–1101.
18.
SmithI.E.A dose-finding study of granisetron, a novel antiemetic, in patients receiving cytostatic chemotherapy. The Granisetron Study Group. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol.1993; 119(6): 350–354.
19.
SoukopM.A dose-finding study of granisetron, a novel antiemetic, in patients receiving high-dose cisplatin. Granisetron Study Group. Support Care Cancer.1994; 2(3): 177–183.
SmithT.J., KhatcheressianJ., LymanG.H.2006 Update of recommendations for the use of white blood cell growth factors: an evidence-based clinical practice guideline. J Clin Oncol.2006; 24(19): 3187–3205.
24.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network.NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology - Myeloid Growth Factors. V.1.2006. http://www.nccn.org. Accessed July 14, 2007.
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 Surgery.1985; 75(3): 397–402.
27.
MullinS., BeckwithM.C., TylerL.S.Prevention and management of antineoplastic extravasation injury. Hosp Pharm.2000; 35(1): 57–74.
28.
KintzelP.E., DorrR.T.Anticancer drug renal toxicity and elimination: dosing guidelines for altered renal function. Cancer Treat Rev.1995; 21(1): 33–64.
29.
FloydJ., MirzaI., Sachs, PerryM.C.Hepatotoxicity of chemotherapy. Semin Oncol.2006; 33(1): 50–67.