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SALT LAKE CITY—Bisphosphonates may have a role as an adjuvant breast cancer treatment, cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy should be considered for treating bladder cancer, and dose-dense chemotherapy may add benefit for patients with pediatric Ewing sarcoma, according to 3 presentations at the “Controversies in Care” session at the annual meeting of the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association.
Bisphosphonates in Breast Cancer
The Oncology Pharmacist congratulates Lindsay Kaster, PharmD, for being chosen by more than 750 of her peers as this year’s T.O.P. Pharmacist award winner.
With the ever-increasing cost of oncology drugs as well as patient copays, a new role was created to help patients manage their financial needs at the Southwest Cancer Center, in cooperation with the Central Pharmacy, University Medical Center, Lubbock, Texas, the county’s and Texas Tech University’s primary teaching hospital.
ANAHEIM—Effective management of breakthrough cancer pain requires optimizing background therapy for chronic pain and accurately assessing the type of breakthrough pain, said presenters at the 45th American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Midyear Clinical Meeting & Exposition.
ANAHEIM—Hypersensitivity or infusion reactions to chemotherapy agents or monoclonal antibodies can be lifethreatening but often can be managed with premedications or titration of infusion rates, said Catherine Christen, PharmD, at the 45th American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Midyear Clinical Meeting & Exposition.
Medications associated with infusion reactions are platinum agents, taxanes, liposomal doxorubicin, etoposide, and monoclonal antibodies. Hypersensitivity reactions can be either allergic (IgE-mediated) or nonallergic (anaphylactoid).
At the University of Arkansas Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy, a participatory model of care has improved patient outcomes and may lower the cost of treatment. This patient-partnered model allows patients to participate in treatment decisions, including location of care (in- or outpatient, when applicable), and to self-administer intravenous and subcutaneous medications. In addition, caregivers are significantly involved, and an emphasis is placed on outpatient therapy, patient education, and patient networking.
Mayo Clinic investigators and collaborators from the United Kingdom cured well-established prostate tumors in mice using a human vaccine with no apparent side effects. This novel cancer treatment approach encourages the immune system to rid itself of prostate tumors without assistance from toxic chemotherapies and radiation treatments. Such a treatment model could some day help people to live tumor free with fewer side effects than those experienced from current therapies.
Cancer survivors are less likely to be employed, and they work fewer hours, than similarly aged adults without a history of cancer, even two to six years after diagnosis, according to a study by Penn State researchers.
"The finding is significant when you consider that there are nearly 12 million cancer survivors living in the United States," said John Moran, assistant professor of health policy and administration in the College of Health and Human Development, who led the study.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a short-acting formulation of oxycodone (Oxecta, Pfizer) that uses “Aversion” technology to stop potential abusers from crushing, chewing, snorting, or injecting the drug. Oral abuse remains possible. In addition, Pfizer acknowledged that the potential to abuse the drug through all routes is feasible.
The drug is indicated for acute and chronic moderate-to-severe pain.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a 45 mg for 6-month administration formulation of leuprolide acetate for depot suspension (Lupron Depot, Abbott) for palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer. This dosing option adds to the existing formulations, which are injected every 1 month, 3 months, and 4 months.