The complexity of cancer chemotherapy requires 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.
FossellaFPereiraJRPawelJV. Randomized, multinational, phase III study of doxcetaxel plus platinum combinations versus vinorelbine plus cisplatin for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: the TAX 326 Study Group. J Clin Oncol. 2003; 21(16):3016–3024.
3.
BelaniCPFossellaF.Elderly subgroup analysis of a randomized phase III study of docetaxel plus platinum combinations versus vinorelbine plus cisplatin for first-line treatment of advanced nonsmall cell lung carcinoma. Cancer. 2005;104(12);2766–2774.
4.
TanEHRolskiJGrodzkiT. Global lung oncology branch trial 3 (GLOB3): final results of a randomized multinational phase III study alternating oral and i.v. vinorelbine plus cisplatin versus docetaxel plus cisplatin as first-line treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Ann Oncol. 2009;20(7):1249–1256.
5.
KimYHKimJSChoiYH. Phase II study of docetaxel and cisplatin combination chemotherapy in metastatic or unresectable localized non-small-cell lung cancer. Int J Clin Oncol. 2002;7(2):114–119.
6.
KubotaKWatanabeKKunitohH. Phase III randomized trial of docetaxel plus cisplatin versus vindesine plus cisplatin in patients with stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer: the Japanese Taxotere Lung Cancer Study Group. J Clin Oncol. 2004;22(2):254–261.
7.
GeorgouliasVArdavanisAAgelidouA. Docetaxel versus docetaxel plus cisplatin as front-line treatment of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a randomized, multicenter phase III trial. J Clin Oncol. 2004;22(13):2602–2609.
8.
CoboMIslaDMassutiB. Customizing cisplatin based on quantitative excision rapid cross-complementing 1 mRNA expression: a phase III trial in non-small cell lung cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2007;25(19):2747–2754.
9.
MitsudomiTMoritaSYatabeY. Gefitinib versus cisplatin plus docetaxel in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer harbouring mutation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (WJTOG3405): a open label, randomized phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2010;11(2):121–128.
10.
CarcerenyERamirezJLSanchez-RoncoM. Blood-based CHRNA3 single nucleotide polymorphism and outcome in advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Lung Cancer. 2010;68(3):491–497.
11.
RosellRCarcerenyEGervaisR. Erlotinib versus standard chemotherapy as first-line treatment for European patients with advanced EGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (EURTAC): a multicentre, open-label, randomized phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2012;13(3):239–246.
12.
HoJCTanEHLeongSS. A multicenter phase II study of the efficacy and safety of docetaxel plus cisplatin in Asian chemonaive patients with metastatic or locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Respir Med. 2003;97(7):796–803.
13.
SegawaYKiuraKTakigawaN. Phase III trial comparing docetaxel and cisplatin combination chemotherapy with mitomycin, vindesine and cisplatin combination chemotherapy with concurrent thoracic radiotherapy in locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: OLCSG 0007. J Clin Oncol. 2010;28(20):3299–3305.
14.
TakigawaNKiuraKSegawaY. Benefits and adverse events among elderly patients receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. J Thorac Oncol. 2011;6(6):1087–1091.
15.
CohenMRSmetzerJ.Dosing error with new Taxotere concentration. ISMP Medication Safety Alert! March 24, 2011. Volume 16, Issue 6.
16.
SavareseDTaplinMEHalabiS. A phase II study of docetaxel (Taxotere), estramustine, and low-dose hydrocortisone in men with hormone-refractory prostate cancer: preliminary results of Cancer and Leukemia Group B Trial 9780. Semin Oncol. 1999;26(5 suppl 17):39–44.
17.
HeskethPJKrisMGGrunbergSM. Proposal for classifying the acute emetogenicity of cancer chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol. 1997;15(1):103–109.
KrisMGGrallaRJClarkRA. Incidence, course, and severity of delayed nausea and vomiting following the administration of high-dose cisplatin. J Clin Oncol. 1985; 3:1379–1384.
22.
GelingOEichlerHG. 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.
23.
TerreyJPAaproMS. The activity of granisetron in patients who had previously failed ondansetron antiemetic therapy. Eur J Clin Res. 1996;8:281–288.
24.
CarmichaelJKeizerHJCupissolD. Use of granisetron in patients refractory to previous treatment with antiemetics. Anticancer Drugs. 1998;9(5):381–385.
25.
de WitRde BoerACvd LindenGH. 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;19;85(8):1099–1101.
26.
SmithIE. 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.
27.
SoukopMAdose-finding study of granisetron, a novel antiemetic, in patients receiving high-dose cisplatin. Granisetron Study Group. Support Care Cancer. 1994;2(3):177–183.
28.
CornelisonTLReedE.Nephrotoxicity and hydration management for cisplatin, carboplatin, and ormaplatin. Gynecol Oncol. 1993;50(2):147–158.
29.
KintzelPE. Anticancer drug-induced kidney disorders - incidence, prevention and management. Drug Safety. 2001;24(1):19–38.
SmithTJKhatcheressianJLymanGH. 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
34.
BoyiadzisMMLebowitzPFFrameJN. Hematology-Oncology Therapy. New York. McGraw-Hill; 2007:570–578.
35.
AronoffGRBennettWMBernsJS. Drug Prescribing in Renal Failure. 5th ed.Philadelphia: American College of Physicians; 2007.
36.
KintzelPEDorrRT. Anticancer drug renal toxicity and elimination: dosing guidelines for altered renal function. Cancer Treat Rev. 1995;21(1):33–64.
37.
FloydJSachsMirza I.PerryMC. Hepatotoxicity of chemotherapy. Semin Oncol2006;33(1):50–67.
38.
KingPDPerryMC. Hepatotoxicity of chemotherapy. Oncologist. 2001;6(2):162–176.
