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, dispensing, and administration of antineoplastic therapy and the agents, both commercially available and investigational, used to treat malignant diseases.
VogelzangN.J., RusthovenJ.J., SymanowskiJ.. Phase III study of pemetrexed in combination with cisplatin versus cisplatin alone in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. J Clin Oncol.2003; 21(14): 2636–2644.
2.
JänneP.A., WozniakA.J., BelaniC.P.. Open-label study of pemetrexed alone or in combination with cisplatin for the treatment of patients with peritoneal mesothelioma: outcomes of an expanded access program. Clin Lung Cancer.2005; 7(1): 40–46.
3.
ManegoldC., SymanowskiJ., GatzemeierU.. Second-line (post-study) chemotherapy received by patients treated in the phase III trial of pemetrexed plus cisplatin versus cisplatin alone in malignant pleural mesothelioma. Ann Onc.2005; 16(6): 923–927.
4.
JänneP.A., WozniakA.J., BelaniC.P.. Pemetrexed alone or in combination with cisplatin in previously treated malignant pleural mesothelioma: outcomes from a phase IIIB expanded access program [published correction appears in J Thorac Oncol. 2006; 1(7): 621]. J Thorac Oncol.2006; 1(6): 506–512.
5.
NakagawaK., YamazakiK., KunitohH.. Efficacy and safety of pemetrexed in combination with cisplatin for malignant pleural mesothelioma: a phase I/II study in Japanese patients. Jpn J Clin Oncol.2008; 38(5): 339–346.
6.
ManegoldC., GatzemeierU., von PawelJ.. Front-line treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer with MTA (LY231514, pemetrexed disodium, ALIMTA) and cisplatin: a multicenter phase II trial. Ann Oncol.2000; 11(4): 435–440.
7.
ShepherdF.A., DanceyJ., ArnoldA.. Phase II study of pemetrexed disodium, a multitargeted antifolate, and cisplatin as first-line therapy in patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung carcinoma: a study of the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group. Cancer.2001; 92(3): 595–600.
8.
KreuterM., VansteenkisteJ., GriesingerF.. Trial on refinement of early stage non-small cell lung cancer. Adjuvant chemotherapy with pemetrexed and cisplatin versus vinorelbine and cisplatin: the TREAT protocol. BMC Cancer.2007; 7: 77.
9.
SocinskiM.A., WeissmanC., HartL.L.. Randomized phase II trial of pemetrexed combined with either cisplatin or carboplatin in untreated extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer. J Clin Oncol.2006; 24(30): 4840–4847.
NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology: non–small cell lung cancer. V.2.2008. National Comprehensive Cancer Network Web site. http://www.nccn.org/. Accessed June 15, 2008.
12.
NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology: small cell lung cancer. V.1.2008. National Comprehensive Cancer Network Web site. http://www.nccn.org/. Accessed June 15, 2008.
13.
HeskethP.J., KrisM.G., GrunbergS.M.. Proposal for classifying the acute emetogenicity of cancer chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol.1997; 15(1): 103–109.
American Society of Clinical Oncology; KrisM.G., HeskethP.J., SomerfieldM.R.. American Society of Clinical Oncology guideline for antiemetics in oncology: update 2006. J Clin Oncol.2006; 24(18): 2932–2947.
16.
Antiemetic guidelines.Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer Web site.http://www.mascc.org. Published 2008. Accessed June 15, 2008.
17.
KrisM.G., GrallaR.J., ClarkR.A.. Incidence, course, and severity of delayed nausea and vomiting following the administration of high-dose cisplatin. J Clin Oncol.1985; 3(10): 1379–1384.
18.
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.
19.
TerryJ.P., AaproM.S.The activity of granisetron in patients who had previously failed ondansetron antiemetic therapy. Eur J Clin Res.1996; 8: 281–288.
20.
CarmichaelJ., KeizerH.J., CupissolD.. Use of granisetron in patients refractory to previous treatment with antiemetics. Anticancer Drugs.1998; 9(5): 381–385.
21.
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.
22.
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.
23.
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.
24.
CornelisonT.L., ReedE.Nephrotoxicity and hydration management for cisplatin, carboplatin, and ormaplatin. Gynecol Oncol.1993; 50(2): 147–158.
25.
KintzelP.E.Anticancer drug-induced kidney disorders. Drug Saf.2001; 24(1): 19–38.
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.
LarsonD.L.Treatment of tissue extravasation by antitumor agents. Cancer.1982; 49(9): 1796–1799.
30.
LarsonD.L.What is the appropriate management of tissue extravasation by antitumor agents?Plast Reconstr Surg.1985; 75(3): 397–405.
31.
MullinS., BeckwithM.C., TylerL.S.Prevention and management of antineoplastic extravasation injury. Hosp Pharm.2000; 35(1): 57–74.
32.
AronoffG.R., BennettW.M., BernsJ.S.. Drug Prescribing in Renal Failure.5th ed.Philadelphia, PA: American College of Physicians; 2007.
33.
KintzelP.E., DorrR.T.Anticancer drug renal toxicity and elimination: dosing guidelines for altered renal function. Cancer Treat Rev.1995; 21(1): 33–64.
34.
FloydJ., MirzaI., SachsB., PerryM.C.Hepatotoxicity of chemotherapy. Semin Oncol.2006; 33(1): 50–67.
35.
KingP.D., PerryM.C.Hepatotoxicity of chemotherapy. Oncologist.2001; 6(2): 162–176.
