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.
LamannaN., KalaycioM., MaslakP.Pentostatin, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab is an active, well-tolerated regimen for patients with previously treated chronic lymphocytic leukemia. J Clin Oncol.2006; 24(10): 1575–1581.
2.
DillmanR.O., SchreederM.T., HonJ.K.Community-based phase II trial of pentostatin, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (PCR) biochemotherapy in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma. Cancer Biother Radiopharm.2007; 22(2): 185–193.
3.
KayN.E., GeyerS.M., CallT.G., Combination chemoimmunotherapy with pentostatin, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab shows significant clinical activity with low accompanying toxicity in previously untreated B chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Blood.2007; 109(2): 405–411.
4.
ShanafeltT.D., LinT., GeyerS.M.Pentostatin, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab regimen in older patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Cancer.2007; 109(11): 2291–2298.
5.
ReynoldsC., Di BellaN., LyonsR.M.A phase III trial of fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab vs. pentostatin, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Invest New Drugs.2012; 30(3): 1232–1240.
6.
ShanafeltT.D., RamsayA.G., ZentC.S.Long-term repair of T-cell synapse activity in a phase II trial of chemoimmunotherapy followed by lenalidomide consolidation in previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Blood.2013; 121(20): 4137–4141.
7.
HenselM., VillalobosM., KornackerM.Pentostatin/cyclophosphamide with or without rituximab: An effective regimen for patients with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia/lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma.2005; 6(2): 13113–13115.
8.
HerthI., HenselM., RiegerM.Pentostatin, cyclophosphamide and rituximab is a safe and effective treatment in patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. Leuk Lymphoma.2015; 56(1): 97–102.
9.
SamaniegoF., HagemeisterF., RomagueraJ.E.Pentostatin, cyclophosphamide and rituximab for previously untreated advanced stage, low-grade B-cell lymphomas. Br J Haematol.2015; 169(6): 814–823.
Rituximab [prescribing information].South San Francisco, CA: Genentech, Inc.; 2014.
13.
ProvencioM., CerdeiraS., BonillaF.Rapid infusion rituximab in lymphoma tratement. Ann Oncol.2006; 17(6): 1027–1028.
14.
SehnL., DonaldsonJ., FilewichA.Rapid infusion rituximab in combination with corticosteroid-containing chemotherapy or as maintenance therapy is well tolerated and can safely be delivered in the community setting. Blood.2007; 109(10): 4171–4173.
15.
ZahraniA., IbrahimN., EidA.Case report: Rapid infusion rituximab changing practice for patient care. J Oncol Pharm Pract.2009(3);15: 183–186.
16.
HeskethP.J., KrisM.G., GrunbergS.M.Proposal for classifying the acute emetogenicity of cancer chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol.1997; 15(1): 103–109.
BaschE., PrestrudA.A., HeskethP.J.Antiemetics: American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Oncol.2011; 29(31): 4189–4198.
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.
21.
MartinM.The severity and pattern of emesis following different cytotoxic agents. Oncology.1996; 53(Suppl 1): 26–31.
22.
BeckT.M.The pattern of emesis following high-dose cyclophosphamide and the anti-emetic efficacy of ondansetron. Anticancer Drugs.1995; 6(2): 237–242.
23.
TerreyJ.P., AaproM.S.The activity of granisetron in patients who had previously failed ondansetronantiemetic therapy. Eur J Clin Res.1996; 8: 281–288.
24.
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.
25.
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; 19: 85(8): 1099–1101.
26.
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.
27.
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.
28.
StillwellT.J., BensonR.C.Cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis. A review of 100 patients. Cancer.1988; 61(3): 451–457.
29.
MonachP.A., ArnoldL.M., MerkelP.A.Incidence and prevention of bladder toxicity from cyclophosphamide in the treatment of rheumatic disease. Arthritis Rheum.2010; 62(1): 9–21.
30.
BrennanP.J., Rodriguez BouzaT., HsuF.I.Hypersensitivity reactions to mAbs: 105 desensitizations in 23 patients, from evaluation to treatment. J Allergy Clin Immunol.2009; 124: 1259–66.
31.
Grillo-LópezA.J., WhiteC.A., VarnsC.Overview of the clinical development of rituximab: First monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of lymphoma. Semin Oncol.1999; 26: 66–73.
32.
CastellsM.C., TennantN.M., SloaneD.E.Hypersensitivity reactions to chemotherapy: Outcomes and safety of rapid desensitization in 413 cases. J Allergy Clin Immunol.2008; 122(3): 574–580.
33.
SmithT.J., BohlkeK., LymanG.H.Recommendations for the Use of White Blood Cell Growth Factors: American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline Update. J Clin Oncol.2015; 33(28): 3199–3212.
LathiaC., FlemingG.F., MeyerM.Pentostatin pharmacokinetics and dosing recommendations in patients with mild renal impairment. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol.2002; 50(2): 121–126.
