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.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology –; Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. V.1.2013. http://www.nccn.org. Accessed October 11, 2013.
2.
ZhangDWangDWangZ. Phase I/II study of albumin-bound nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine administered to Chinese patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2013;71:1065–1072.
3.
Von HoffDDRamanathanRKBoradMJ. Gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel is an active regimen in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer: A phase I/II trial. J Clin Oncol. 2011;29(34):4548–4554.
4.
Von HoffDDErvinTJArenaFP. Increased survival in pancreatic cancer with nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine. N Engl J Med. 2013;369(18):1691–1703.
PaikPJamesLRielyG. A phase II study of weekly albumin-bound paclitaxel (Abraxane) given as a two-hour infusion. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2011;68(5):1331–1337.
7.
TemperoMPlunkettWRuiz Van HaperenV. Randomized phase II comparison of dose-intense gemcitabine: Thirty-minute infusion and fixed dose rate infusion in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. J Clin Oncol. 2003;21(18):3402–3408.
8.
NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for Antiemesis. V.1.2014. National Comprehensive Cancer Network Web site. www.nccn.org. Accessed October 18, 2013.
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.
12.
HeskethPJKrisMGGrunbergSM. Proposal for classifying the acute emetogenicity of cancer chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol. 1997;15(1):103–109.
13.
TerreyJPAaproMS. The activity of granisetron in patients who had previously failed ondansetronantiemetic therapy. Eur J Clin Res.1996;8:281–288.
14.
CarmichaelJKeizerHJCupissolDMilliezJScheidelPSchindlerAE. Use of granisetron in patients refractory to previous treatment with antiemetics. Anticancer Drugs. 1998;9(5):381–385.
15.
de WitRde BoerACvd LindenGHStoterGSparreboomAVerweijJ.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.
16.
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.
17.
SoukopM. Adose-finding study of granisetron, a novel antiemetic, in patients receiving high-dose cisplatin. Granisetron Study Group. Support Care Cancer. 1994;2(3):177–183.
18.
NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for Myeloid Growth Factors. V.2.2013. National Comprehensive Cancer Network Web site. www.nccn.org. Accessed October 16, 2013.
19.
KintzelPEDorrRT. Anticancer drug renal toxicity and elimination: Dosing guidelines for altered renal function. Cancer Treat Rev.1995;21(1):33–64.
20.
DelalogeSLlombartADi PalmaM. Gemcitabine in patients with solid tumors and renal impairment. Am J Clin Oncol. 2004;27(3):289–293.
21.
BoyiadzisMMLebowitzPFFrameJNFojoT.Hematology-Oncology Therapy. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2007:570–578.
22.
BiakhovMYKononovaGVIglesiasJ. nab-Paclitaxel in patients with advanced solid tumors and hepatic dysfunction: A pilot study. Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2010;9(4):515–523.
23.
FloydJMirzaISachsBPerryMC. Hepatotoxicity of chemotherapy. Semin Oncol. 2006;33(1):50–67.