October 2012, Vol 5, No 7

In this month’s issue of The Oncology Pharmacist (TOP), we continue our coverage of the news from the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) by addressing the topic of chemotherapy dosing for patients who are obese. Read More ›

Identifying agents that can prevent chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a work in progress. Studies of some interventions suggest modestly encouraging findings, but research on prevention has been hampered by a poor understanding of the different mechanisms of this toxicity with the various chemotherapy agents that induce CIPN.¹ Read More ›

Updated results from the pivotal phase 3 BOLERO-2 trial uphold, and even add to, the previous benefits reported for the addition of everolimus to exemestane in advanced breast cancer, including a positive effect on bone markers.^1,2 Read More ›

In women with metastatic breast cancer, less frequent dosing of zoledronic acid (ZA) may be as protective as the standard monthly infusion, according to 2 studies presented at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Read More ›

Adverse events (AEs) related to chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) create a substantial economic burden that is primarily explained by increased inpatient, outpatient, and pharmacy costs, said Sara A. Hurvitz, MD, of the University of California Los Angeles, who presented an economic analysis at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Read More ›

According to an analysis of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group trial ECOG-E1199 by Schneider and colleagues, the development of grade 2 to 4 peripheral neuropathy in patients with operable breast cancer who received taxanes does not appear to affect clinical outcome.¹ Read More ›

A preliminary report of a meta-analysis of clinical trials of mo-lecularly targeted therapies shows that they are not benign and can add to the toxicity of standard chemo­therapy. In particular, increased rates of oral mucositis and diarrhea are reported with several US Food and Drug Ad­ministration (FDA)-approved agents. In­creased mucositis seen with bevacizumab and erlotinib does not appear to be clinically significant, but severe diarrhea occurs with a number of targeted agents and has a potential impact on quality of life (QOL) and healthcare resource utilization. Read More ›

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month—a time to educate people about early cancer detection, novel breast cancer treatments, and ways to support survivors. Today’s educational efforts will aid generations to come and positively influence the following breast cancer statistics. Read More ›

The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) is 1 of 41 National Cancer Institute‒designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the United States. CINJ delivers advanced comprehensive care to adults and children, and CINJ investigators are heavily involved in research. Read More ›

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death in females in the United States.1 There will be an estimated 22,280 new cases and 15,500 deaths related to ovarian cancer in 2012.¹ The prognosis of advanced ovarian cancer is poor, with a 5-year survival rate of 5% to 20%. A platinum-based doublet chemotherapy post cytoreductive surgery has been the standard of care for the past decade. Read More ›