Abstracts from the Global Pharmacy and Health Care Services Research Summit (GPHSRS) 2016
(Source: Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice)
Source: Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice - October 25, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Abstracts Source Type: research

Successful use of high-dose cytarabine in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia and severe hepatic dysfunction
Acute myeloid leukemia is a hematologic malignancy characterized by the clonal expansion of myeloid blasts in the peripheral blood, bone marrow, and other tissues. Prognosis is poor with 5-year survival rates ranging from 5–65% depending on demographic and clinical features. Outcomes are worse for patients that have an antecedent myeloproliferative neoplasm that evolves to acute myeloid leukemia, with a survival rate of <10%. Treatment for acute myeloid leukemia has remained cytarabine and an anthracycline given in the standard 3 + 7 regimen. However, for patients with liver dysfunction this regimen, among many ot...
Source: Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice - October 25, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Barker, J. A., Marini, B. L., Bixby, D., Perissinotti, A. J. Tags: Case Reports Source Type: research

Fatal posterior revesible leukoencephalopathy syndrome associated coma induced by bevacizumab in metastatic colorectal cancer and review of literature
We present a case of fatal PRES-associated coma induced by bevacizumab in metastatic colorectal cancer. (Source: Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice)
Source: Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice - October 25, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Eryılmaz, M. K., Mutlu, H., Salim, D. K., Musri, F. Y., Coskun, H. S. Tags: Case Reports Source Type: research

Effect of ceftriaxone and cefepime on high-dose methotrexate clearance
Numerous drug interactions with methotrexate have been identified, which can lead to serious life-threatening effects. Up to 90% of methotrexate is excreted unchanged in the urine with primary excretion dependent on organic anion transport in the renal proximal tubule. The two pathways responsible for methotrexate secretion are organic anion transport 1 and primarily organic anion transport 3. Penicillins undergo tubular secretion via organic anion transport, and cephalosporins are believed to also possess a similar risk when administered with methotrexate; however, there are no human studies observing this interaction wit...
Source: Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice - October 25, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Tran, H. X., Herrington, J. D. Tags: Case Reports Source Type: research

Cytarabine syndrome despite corticosteroid premedication in an adult undergoing induction treatment for acute myelogenous leukemia
Cytarabine syndrome is a rare clinical condition characterized by fever, malaise, myalgia, arthralgia, and/or rash that occurs after receipt of cytarabine. Our patient developed fever, malaise, and diffuse body pain shortly following cytarabine initiation despite receiving prophylactic dexamethasone. The patient’s discomfort was treated with intravenous morphine and her other symptoms were controlled with a higher dose of dexamethasone. Although the exact cause is not fully understood, cytarabine syndrome is hypothesized to be an immune-mediated response following cytarabine-induced apoptosis that results in a rapid ...
Source: Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice - October 25, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Jirasek, M. A., Herrington, J. D. Tags: Case Reports Source Type: research

Activity of single-agent decitabine in atypical chronic myeloid leukemia
We report a 49-year-old Caucasian female, who presented with extreme leukocytosis (white blood cells of 148,300/µL) with left shift, severe anemia, and thrombocytopenia. Following a diagnosis of atypical chronic myeloid leukemia, she was started on intravenous decitabine. She subsequently developed paraneoplastic vasculitis of large arteries, which responded to high-dose glucocorticoid. Decitabine therapy resulted in an excellent hematologic response, transfusion independence, and successful transition to an allogeneic peripheral stem cell transplantation. However, the patient subsequently succumbed to the complicati...
Source: Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice - October 25, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Hausmann, H., Bhatt, V. R., Yuan, J., Maness, L. J., Ganti, A. K. Tags: Case Reports Source Type: research

Low rate of cetuximab hypersensitivity reactions in Northeast Tennessee: An Appalachian effect?
Conclusions Patients in southern Appalachia may be less likely to develop cetuximab hypersensitivity reactions compared to surrounding areas in the Southeastern U.S. These results lend support to the theory that exposure to lonestar ticks (Amblyomma americanum) may be responsible for the development of IgE antibodies to cetuximab that cause hypersensitivity reactions. The development of quick and reliable bedside predictors of cetuximab hypersensitivity reactions may aid clinicians considering the use of cetuximab. (Source: Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice)
Source: Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice - October 25, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Adams, C. B., Street, D. S., Crass, M., Bossaer, J. B. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Impact of a pharmacist-led oral chemotherapy-monitoring program in patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer
Conclusion These results suggest a potential opportunity exists to maximize oral chemotherapy treatment outcomes with the addition of a formalized monitoring program directed by an oncology pharmacist. (Source: Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice)
Source: Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice - October 25, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Patel, J. M., Holle, L. M., Clement, J. M., Bunz, T., Niemann, C., Chamberlin, K. W. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Routine proteinuria monitoring for bevacizumab in patients with gynecologic malignancies
Conclusion Monitoring of urine protein-to-creatinine ratios with each cycle may be unnecessary due to the low prevalence of grade 3 proteinuria observed. Additionally, urine protein-to-creatinine ratios may not provide adequate assessment of proteinuria toxicity associated with bevacizumab therapy. Potential cost savings opportunities for the institution can be realized with a cost-reductive monitoring algorithm that will utilize less costly laboratory techniques for patients at high risk of developing proteinuria. (Source: Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice)
Source: Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice - October 25, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Lee, C. S., Alwan, L. M., Sun, X., McLean, K. A., Urban, R. R. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Chemotherapy drug shortages in paediatric oncology: A 14-year single-centre experience in Belgium
We present the burden of drug shortages of chemotherapeutics in the paediatric hemato-oncology unit of a tertiary care hospital and solutions that were used to manage them. Between January 2001 and December 2014, 54 individual shortages were detected, affecting a total number of 21 different drugs. In total, 4127 shortage days were registered with a mean duration of 196.5 SD ± 144.0 days per individual drug shortage. Methotrexate, doxorubicin and carboplatin had the longest supply disruptions. Solutions to address the problems were purchase of a generic alternative, a change of individual treatment plans, cohorting ...
Source: Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice - October 25, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Bauters, T., Claus, B. O., Norga, K., Huys, I., Simoens, S., Laureys, G. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Retrospective analysis of pharmacist interventions in an ambulatory palliative care practice
Conclusions A pharmacist-led outpatient palliative care practice identified medication problems for management of pain, constipation, and nausea/vomiting. Medication changes involved a change in dose and/or initiating a new medication. Trends were observed in improvement and stabilization of pain over subsequent clinic visits. (Source: Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice)
Source: Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice - October 25, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Ma, J. D., Tran, V., Chan, C., Mitchell, W. M., Atayee, R. S. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Compatibility of epirubicin-loaded DC bead™ with different non-ionic contrast media
Conclusion Compatibility of epirubicin-loaded DC bead™ with an equal volume of different contrast media in polypropylene syringes is given over a period of seven days. Due to a maximum elution of 0.1–0.5% of epirubicin from loaded DC bead™, admixtures with contrast media can be prepared in advance in centralized cytotoxic preparation units. Microbiological aspects have to be considered when determining the expiration date of the product. (Source: Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice)
Source: Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice - October 25, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Sarakbi, I., Krämer, I. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Impact of oncology pharmacist-managed oral anticancer therapy in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia
Conclusions Our oncology pharmacist-managed oral anticancer therapy program significantly improved TKI adherence rates in CML patients. We attribute the success of our program to consistent follow-up by utilizing routine phone, and secure email follow-ups, that allowed our oncology pharmacists to build a close and trustworthy relationship with patients and families. (Source: Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice)
Source: Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice - October 25, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Lam, M. S., Cheung, N. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Use of vemurafenib in a patient unable to swallow whole
We present here the case of a 38-year-old woman with metastatic BRAFV600E mutant melanoma and a severe tablet phobia, who was found to have been crushing and/or chewing her vemurafenib tablets. In this case, she attained a partial response and significant clinical benefit, albeit temporarily. (Source: Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice)
Source: Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice - August 9, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Janson, B., Whittle, J., Witney, K., Moodie, K., Callahan, J., Sandhu, S. Tags: Case Reports Source Type: research

Tyrosine kinase inhibitor-associated syndrome of inappropriate secretion of anti-diuretic hormone
We report a case of secretion of anti-diuretic hormone associated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. (Source: Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice)
Source: Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice - August 9, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Hill, J., Shields, J., Passero, V. Tags: Case Reports Source Type: research