The complexity of cancer chemotherapy requires that pharmacists be familiar with the complicated regimens and highly toxic agents used. This column reviews various issues related to preparation, dispensation, and administration of antineoplastic therapy and the 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.
JonesS.A., SavinM.A., HolmesF.A.Phase III trial comparing doxorubicin plus cyclophosphamide with docetaxel plus cyclophosphamide as adjuvant therapy for operable breast cancer. J Clin Oncol.2006; 24(34): 5381–5387.
2.
TashiroH., SagawaT., OkadaK.The safety of docetaxel with cyclophosphamide (TC) therapy as adjuvant chemotherapy for Japanese women with operable breast cancer. Gan to Kagaku Ryoho (Japanese Journal of Cancer and Chemotherapy).2007; 34(3): 393–396.
3.
TrentJ.C., ValeroV., BooserD.J.A phase I study of docetaxel plus cyclophosphamide in solid tumors followed by a phase II study as first-line therapy in metastatic breast cancer. Clin Cancer Res.2003; 9(7): 2426–2434.
4.
VaseyP.A., RochéH., BissetD.Phase I study of docetaxel in combination with cyclophosphamide as first-line chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer. Br J Cancer.2002; 87(10): 1072–1078.
5.
ValeroV.Docetaxel and cyclophosphamide in patients with advanced solid tumors. Oncology (Williston Park).1997; 11(6)(suppl 6): 21–23.
6.
YoneyamaK., KoshidaY., ToriumiF.Examination of the safety of docetaxel/cyclophosphamide combination therapy for advanced recurrent breast cancer. Gan to Kagaku Ryoho (Japanese Journal of Cancer and Chemotherapy).2006; 33(10): 1525–1527.
7.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network.NCCN clinical practice guidelines in breast cancer. V.2.2008. http://www.nccn.org/. Accessed June 8, 2008.
8.
CohenM.R., SmetzerJ.Preparing for a damaging medication error. ISMP Medication Safety Alert!1999; 4(14).
9.
Taxotere [package insert].Bridgewater, NJ: Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC; May 2007.
10.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network.NCCN antiemesis practice guidelines.http://www.nccn.org/. Accessed June 7, 2008.
11.
American Society of Clinical Oncology, KrisM.G., HeskethP.J.American Society of Clinical Oncology guideline for antiemetics in oncology: update 2006. J Clin Oncol.2006; 24(18): 2932–2947.
12.
Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer.Antiemetic guidelines.2005. http://www.mascc.org/. Accessed June 7, 2008.
13.
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.
14.
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.
15.
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.
16.
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.
17.
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.
18.
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.
19.
StillwellT.J., BensonR.C.Jr. Cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis. A review of 100 patients. Cancer.1988; 61(3): 451–457.
ZanottiK.M., MarkhamM.Prevention and management of antineoplastic-induced hypersensitivity reactions. Drug Saf.2001; 24(10): 767–779.
22.
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.
23.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network.NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology—myeloid growth factors. V.1.2008. http://www.nccn.org/. Accessed June 13, 2008.
24.
MullinS., BeckwithM.C., TylerL.S.Prevention and management of antineoplastic extravasation injury. Hosp Pharm.2000; 35(1): 57–74.
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): 397–405.
27.
KintzelP.E., DorrR.T.Anticancer drug renal toxicity and elimination: dosing guidelines for altered renal function. Cancer Treat Rev.1995; 21(1): 33–64.
28.
FloydJ., MirzaI., SachsB., PerryM.C.Hepatotoxicity of chemotherapy. Semin Oncol.2006; 33(1): 50–67.
