Management of extravasation of oxaliplatin by mimicking its biotransformation

Although oxaliplatin (Oxali) plays a key role in the treatment of many types of cancer and has been reported to be an irritant, there is no specific and effective method for its extravasation and failure in Oxali extravasation management results in the need for plastic surgery. In the body, Oxali bio-transforms upon dilution in chloride-containing buffer salts to its di-chloro derivative and loses an oxalate molecule. Consequently, the chloride ions exchange with water molecules in the intracellular environment to produce the di-aqua derivative, which is the most active biotransformation product of Oxali in terms of forming the DNA adducts. Thus, inhibiting transformation of di-chloro to di-aqua derivatives by accumulating chloride ions at the site of extravasation and saturating the Oxali molecule with these ions is a strategy that could help manage extravasation. Injecting normal saline at this site is a simple yet effective way to achieve this goal

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Annual hazard rate of relapse of stage II and III colorectal cancer after primary therapy

Purpose. To report the annual hazard of relapse in stages II and III colorectal cancer (CRC) Tunisian patients treated with curative intent. We also aim to evaluate impact of oxaliplatine according to anatomo-clinical features. Methods. We collected data about clinico-pathological parameters of 331 CRCs. We analyzed annual hazard of recurrence (locoregional and/or distant) of the overall population and several subgroups: colon cancer vs rectal cancer and stage II vs stage III. We also analyzed impact of adjuvant oxaliplatine on recurrence within these subgroups. Results. Relapse rate was 38.1%, with a mean time to relapse of 27.6 months. We noted 23.8% local recurrence, 69.8% distant recurrence, and 6.4% both. We observed higher local relapse rate in rectal cancer (26.8 vs 3.2%) vs colon cancer (p = 0.004). Stage III had a higher metastatic relapse rate vs stage II (31.6 vs 20.8%, p = 0.043). Annual hazard of recurrence for the overall population showed two peaks: [1-2] year-interval by 10.1% and [3-4] year-interval by 11.3%. Stage III showed significantly higher and earlier recurrence hazard peak compared to stage II (16.3 vs 8.1% in [1-2] year-interval). Oxaliplatine significantly improved annual hazard of recurrence in each year-interval from year 1-4, in colon cancer and in stage III but without impact in rectal cancer and stage II. Conclusion. Extended follow-up to 4 years should be considered in Tunisian population. Impact of oxaliplatine showed same features to reported occidental series (AU)

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Salvage treatment with irinotecan/cisplatin versus pemetrexed/cisplatin in patients with non-small cell lung cancer pre-treated with a non-platinum-based regimen in the first-line setting: a randomized phase II study of the Hellenic Oncology Research Group (HORG)

Background. Platinum-based chemotherapy is the standard front-line treatment for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, non-platinum combinations of third-generation chemotherapeutic agents are considered an alternative therapeutic option for patients who cannot tolerate the toxic effects of platinum compounds. In this study, the efficacy and toxicity of the combination of irinotecan plus cisplatin (IC) was compared to pemetrexed plus cisplatin (PC) regimen, in platinum-naïve patients with advanced NSCLC, who had been previously treated with the combination of a taxane plus gemcitabine. Patients and methods. A total of 124 patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC were randomly assigned to either irinotecan 110 mg/m2 on day 1 and 100 mg/m2 on day 8 plus cisplatin 80 mg/m2 on day 8 every 3 weeks (IC arm) or pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 plus cisplatin 80 mg/m2 on day 1 every 3 weeks (PC arm). The primary endpoint of the study was the overall response rate (ORR). Results. The ORR and median progression-free survival (PFS) in the IC arm were 18 % and 3.3 months, respectively, while in the PC arm were 19 % and 4.2 months (p = ns). Median overall survival (OS) was significantly higher in patients with PC (6.9 vs. 10.9; p = 0.013). PC regimen had a better toxicity profile compared to IC, with a statistically significant lower incidence of grade 3/4 neutropenia (3 vs. 31 %; p = 0.0001) and diarrhea (1.6 vs. 14.7 %, p = 0.018). Conclusions. In patients with advanced NSCLC pretreated with docetaxel/gemcitabine, the combination of pemetrexed/cisplatin is associated with increased OS and is better tolerated than the combination of irinotecan/cisplatin and should be considered as a valid therapeutic option for platinum-naive, previously treated patients (AU)

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The effects of prolonged infusion on reducing oxaliplatin hypersensitivity reactions

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Effectiveness and safety of pemetrexed for non-small cell lung cancer in the Andalusian Public Health System / Efectividad y seguridad del pemetrexed en el cáncer de pulmón no microcítico en el Sistema Sanitario Público de Andalucía

Objective: To evaluate effectiveness and safety profile of pemetrexed in patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) when it's used on real clinical practice in Andalusia (a Spanish region with 8.5 million inhabitants, 2014 census data). Methods: An observational multicentre retrospective study was conducted. Adult patients with locally advanced/metastatic NSCLC who received pemetrexed in any hospital in the Andalusian Public Health System during the last term of 2011 were included. We collected patients' baseline characteristics, diagnostic and treatment data, effectiveness variables (response to treatment with pemetrexed and overallsurvival) and main adverse reactions detected. Results: 172 patients from 17 hospitals were included (77.33% were men), median age 63 years old (between 34 and 83). The predominant histology was adenocarcinoma (84.30%) and 85.20% were diagnosed of lung cancer with IV-stage. 78.49% had been smokers at some point in their lives. Median overall survival from the start of pemetrexed was 9 months (95%CI, 4.1-13.9). Progression of the disease was the most frequent response (33.14%), only one patient had complete response. Stable disease was associated with a higher probability of survival. Main adverse reactions detected were asthenia, haematological reactions, gastrointestinal reactions and dermal o mucous toxicity. No patients discontinued treatment for serious toxicity. Conclusions: Pemetrexed resulted quite effective in NSCLC when it was used on real clinical practice, with higher survival in non-squamous histology and patients with the best score of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scale. The toxicity profile was well tolerated. Prospective studies would be needed to confirm the effect of prognostic factors observed (AU)

Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad y el perfil de seguridad del pemetrexed en pacientes con cáncer de pulmón no microcítico (CPNM) localmente avanzado o metastásico en la práctica clínica real en Andalucía (una región española con 8,5 millones de habitantes según los datos del censo de 2014). Métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo multicéntrico observacional, incluyendo aquellos pacientes adultos con CPNM localmente avanzado/metastásico que hubiesen recibido pemetrexed en cualquier hospital del Sistema Sanitario Público de Andalucía durante el último trimestre de 2011. Se revisaron las características basales de los pacientes, los datos relativos al diagnóstico y al tratamiento, las variables de efectividad (en términos de respuesta al tratamiento con pemetrexed y supervivencia global) y las principales reacciones adversas detectadas. Resultados: Se incluyeron un total de 172 pacientes procedentes de 17 hospitales (77,33% hombres), con una mediana de edad de 63 años (rango: 34 y 83). La histología predominante fue el adenocarcinoma (84,30%) y el 85,20% fueron diagnosticados de cáncer de pulmón en estadio IV. El 78,49% habían sido fumadores en algún momento de sus vidas. La mediana de supervivencia global desde el inicio del pemetrexed fue de 9 meses (IC del 95%, 4,1-13,9). La progresión de la enfermedad fue la respuesta al tratamiento más frecuente (33,14%) y solo un paciente tuvo una respuesta completa. La presencia de enfermedad estable se asoció con una mayor probabilidad de supervivencia. Las principales reacciones adversas detectadas fueron astenia; reacciones hematológicas, gastrointestinales y dermatológicas o toxicidad mucosa. Ninguno de los pacientes interrumpió el tratamiento por toxicidad grave. Conclusiones: El pemetrexed resultó bastante efectivo en el CPNM cuando fue utilizado en la práctica clínica real, con una mayor supervivencia en histología no escamosa y en los pacientes con mejor puntuación en la escala Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. El perfil de toxicidad fue bien tolerado. Serían necesarios estudios prospectivos para confirmar el efecto de los factores pronósticos observados (AU)

The relationship between RRM1 gene polymorphisms and effectiveness of gemcitabine-based first-line chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC patient

Purpose: Chemotherapy with platinum compounds and gemcitabine is frequently used in first-line treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients in which tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR or ALK) cannot be administered. Unfortunately, less than half of the patients achieve the benefit from chemotherapy. Gemcitabine is an analog of deoxycytidine (pyrimidine antimetabolite) with antitumor activity. The excess of deoxycytidine synthesized by RRM1 enzyme activity may be a cause of competitive displacement of gemcitabine, which reduces the efficacy of this cytostatic. The aim of this study was to determine the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the RRM1 promoter (-37C[A, -524C[T) and the effectiveness of first-line chemotherapy based on platinum compounds and gemcitabine in NSCLC PATIENTS: PATIENTS AND METHODS: SNPs were determined by SNaPshot PCR in DNA isolated from peripheral blood of 91 NSCLC PATIENTS: RESULTS: The median progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly longer in carriers of AA (-37C[A) as well as CC (-524C[T) genotype of RRM1 compared to patients with other genotypes (10.5 vs 3.5 months, p = 0.0437; HR = 2.17, 95 % CI 1.02-4.62 and 10.5 vs 3.5 months, p = 0.0343; HR = 2.12, 95 % CI 1.06-4.27). In addition, the CC genotype carriers (-37C[A) showed a significant increase in the risk of shortening overall survival (OS) in comparison to patients with AA or AC genotypes (9.5 vs 18 months, p = 0.0193; HR = 2.13, 95 % CI 1.13-4.03). CONCLUSIONS: Presence of rare AA (-37C[A) and CC (-524C[T) genotypes of the RRM1 may be favorable predictive factors for chemotherapy with platinum compounds and gemcitabine in NSCLC patients

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Carcinoma hepatocelular fibrolamelar, una entidad infrecuente diagnosticada por ecografía abdominal / Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma: a rare entity diagnosed by abdominal ultrasound

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Hiperplasia nodular regenerativa hepática múltiple asociada a oxaliplatino / Regenerative multiple hepatic nodular hyperplasia associated with oxalyplati

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Experience with rapid desensitization to chemotherapy in a type B hospital

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Efficacy of platinum combination chemotherapy after first-line gefitinib treatment in non-small cell lung cancer patients harboring sensitive EGFR mutations

Purpose. Gefitinib is an effective first-line chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring sensitive EGFR mutations. However, whether second-line platinum combination chemotherapy after first-line gefitinib treatment shows similar effects to first-line platinum combination chemotherapy in these patients remains unclear. Therefore, we here aimed to investigate the efficacy of platinum combination chemotherapy after first-line gefitinib treatment in NSCLC patients harboring sensitive EGFR mutations. Methods/patients. We retrospectively evaluated the clinical effects of second-line platinum combination chemotherapy after first-line gefitinib treatment in NSCLC patients harboring sensitive EGFR mutations (exon 19 deletion or exon 21 L858R mutation) at five institutions. All patients were initially treated with gefitinib (250 mg/day) followed by platinum combination chemotherapy as second-line chemotherapy. Results. Between January 2006 and December 2012, 42 patients [8 men, 34 women; median age, 63 years (range 39–75 years)] were enrolled. The overall response rate, disease control rate, and median progression-free survival (PFS) were 26.2, 61.9 %, and 5.1 months, respectively, after the second-line treatment. The corresponding values for first-line gefitinib treatment were 69.0, 95.2 %, and 11.1 months, respectively. Moreover, second-line platinum combination chemotherapy with pemetrexed or bevacizumab-containing regimens was independently associated with improved PFS. Conclusions. Second-line platinum combination chemotherapy after first-line gefitinib treatment in NSCLC patients harboring sensitive EGFR mutations was effective and showed equivalent outcomes to first-line platinum combination chemotherapy. After failure of first-line gefitinib therapy, second-line platinum combination chemotherapy with pemetrexed or bevacizumab might result in improved PFS (AU)

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Claudin-4 in ovarian cancer and its relation to platinum compounds resistance / Claudina-4 en cáncer ovárico y su relación con la resistencia a compuestos de platino

Background: Claudin-4, a component of the tight junction, plays an important role in tumorigenesis and metastasis of ovarian cancer, but its role in platinum resistance has not been elucidated. Aim of the work: To determine the presence of claudin-4 in ovarian cancer tissues in relation to platinum compounds resistance. Patients and methods: Patients with advanced ovarian malignancy (FIGO stages III and IV) that have undergone primary surgery for maximal cytoreduction, followed by first line chemotherapy with platinum compounds and paclitaxel, were followed up for 6 months to determine chemotherapeutic response. Claudin-4 expression in ovarian cancer tissue resected from the patients surgically was evaluated immunohistochemically. Results: Claudin-4 is associated with more aggressive behavior of ovarian tumors and the advanced stage of the tumors. High expression of claudin-4 was found in high grade tumors, of the papillary serous subtype. High expression is linked to chemotherapeutic resistance, whereas low expression is associated with good response to first line chemotherapy. Conclusion: High claudin-4 expression can predict poor chemotherapeutic response in advanced ovarian cancer (AU)

Antecedentes: La claudina-4, componente de la zona de oclusión, desempeña un papel importante en la oncogenia y metástasis del cáncer ovárico, pero su papel en la resistencia al platino no se ha aclarado todavía. Objetivo: Establecer la presencia de claudina-4 en los tejidos de cáncer ovárico con relación a la resistencia a compuestos de platino. Pacientes y métodos: Pacientes con neoplasia maligna de ovario (clasificación FIGO fase III y IV) sometidos a una intervención citorreductora primaria seguida de quimioterapia de primera línea con compuestos de platino y paclitaxel; se realizó un seguimiento durante 6 meses para valorar la reacción a la quimioterapia. Se llevó a cabo un análisis inmunohistoquímico de la expresión de la claudina-4 en los tejidos de cáncer ovárico. Resultados: La claudina-4 se asocia con un comportamiento más agresivo de los tumores ováricos y con una fase más avanzada de los mismos. Se encontró una alta manifestación de claudina-4 en tumores de grado alto, de subtipo papiloma seroso. Se relaciona la expresión alta con la resistencia quimioterápica, mientras que una expresión baja se asocia a una buena reacción a la quimioterapia de primera línea. Conclusión: Una expresión alta de claudina-4 puede predecir una mala respuesta quimioterápica en el cáncer de ovario avanzado (AU)

Overview of a chemoresponse assay in ovarian cancer

The objective of this review is to summarize recent scientific and medical literature regarding chemoresponse assays or chemotherapy sensitivity and resistance assays (CSRAs), specifically as applied to epithelial ovarian cancer. A total of sixty-seven articles, identified through PubMed using the key words "in vitro chemoresponse assay," "chemo sensitivity resistance assay," "ATP," "HDRA," "EDR," "MiCK," and "ChemoFx," were reviewed. Recent publications on marker validation, including relevant clinical trial designs, were also included. Recent CSRA research and clinical studies are outlined in this review. Published findings demonstrate benefits regarding patient outcome with respect to recent CSRAs. Specifically, analytical and clinical validations, as well as clinical utility and economic benefit, of the most common clinically used CSRA in the United States support its use to aid in making effective, individualized clinical treatment selections for patients with ovarian cancer (AU)

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Revisión de las reacciones de hipersensibilidad a antineoplásicos / Review of hypersensitivity reactions to antineoplastic agents

Objetivo Revisar las características y el manejo de las reacciones de hipersensibilidad causadas por agentes antineoplásicos. Método Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en las bases de datos Pubmed y EMBASE de los últimos 10 años. Resultados Casi todos los quimioterápicos tienen potencial para causar una reacción de hipersensibilidad, pero determinados grupos han sido asociados con un mayor riesgo, como los derivados del platino, los taxanos, las asparraginasas, los anticuerpos monoclonales y las epipodofilotoxinas. Las manifestaciones clínicas de estas reacciones son variables e impredecibles incluyendo síntomas cutáneos, respiratorios, cardiacos y gastrointestinales. El mecanismo asociado con su desarrollo aún no se conoce en su totalidad. El diagnóstico se basa en los signos y síntomas que desarrolle el paciente y en la realización de pruebas cutáneas. El manejo de los pacientes que sufran una reacción de hipersensibilidad a un quimioterápico variará según el grado de severidad de la reacción, de la necesidad de continuar con el tratamiento y de las alternativas terapéuticas disponibles. Conclusiones Al producirse un incremento progresivo en la utilización de los agentes quimioterápicos, se puede esperar un aumento de la incidencia de las reacciones de hipersensibilidad. Los protocolos de desensibilización destacan como una alternativa que nos van a permitir reintroducir en la terapia del paciente el agente causal de la reacción de hipersensibilidad. Su utilización debe valorarse individualmente sopesando los beneficios y los riesgos (AU)

Objective To review the characteristics and management of hypersensitivity reactions caused by antineoplastic agents. Method We conducted a search in the Pubmed and EMBASE databases for the last 10 years. Results Almost all chemotherapeutic agents have the potential to cause hypersensitivity reactions, but some groups have been associated with increased risk, such as platinum compounds, taxanes, asparaginase, monoclonal antibodies and epipodophyllotoxins. The clinical manifestations of these reactions are variable and unpredictable, including symptoms affecting the skin and the pulmonary, cardiac and gastrointestinal systems. The mechanism associated with their development is not yet fully understood. Diagnosis is based on patients’ signs and symptoms and skin testing. The management of patients who suffer a hypersensitivity reaction to a chemotherapeutic agent varies with the severity of the reaction, the need to continue treatment, and the availability of alternative therapies. Conclusions Due to a progressive increase in the use of chemotherapeutic agents an increased incidence of hypersensitivity reactions is to be expected. Desensitisation protocols are a noteworthy alternative that make it possible to re-initiate patients’ therapy with the causative agent of the hypersensitivity reaction. Their use should be assessed individually, weighing risks and benefits (AU)

Platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy on moderate- and high-risk stage I and II epithelian ovarian cancer patients. Long-term single institution experience and literature review

BACKGROUND: Although the optimal management of women with FIGO stages I and II epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is still controversial, platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) is the mainstay of treatment. Suboptimal survival results have led to major efforts to identify prognostic factors, improve surgical staging and develop adjuvant therapies to improve patients' outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluate in a retrospective study clinical efficacy and the toxicity profile of a platinum-based adjuvant CT in FIGO stages I and II EOC treated at our institution from March 1984 to December 2006. Grade I FIGO stages IA-IB were excluded from the analysis. In the first period (1984-1997), patients received a platinum-based regimen without taxanes. In the second period from 1997 onwards, patients were treated with carboplatin and paclitaxel. Four to six cycles of adjuvant CT were administered. Potential predictive factors of efficacy and the role of paclitaxel addition were also analysed. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-eight patients (60 treated with paclitaxel) met inclusion criteria and were evaluable. Median age at diagnosis was 53.7 years (range 19-81) and most patients had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score (ECOG) of 0-1 (91.8%); 82.9% patients had pathological stage I and 17.1% pathological stage II. With a median follow up of 8.34 years (range 4.4-11.6), 103 patients (74.1%) were free of disease and 110 of them were alive (79.1%). Median relapse-free survival (RFS) and median overall survival (OS) had not been reached at the time of the analysis. No survival difference was found between paclitaxel and carboplatin combination or non-paclitaxel-containing regimens. Statistically significant prognostic factors for better RFS in the multivariate analysis were: ECOG 0 (p=0.023; HR 0.32; 95% CI 0.17-0.57); FIGO I stage (p<0.001; HR 0.30; 95% CI 0.15-0.58); I-II histological grade (p=0.005; HR 0.38; 95% CI 0.19-0.75); mucinous histology (p=0.013; HR 0.28; 95% CI 0.13-0.53); non-surgical adherences (p<0.002, HR 0.32; 95% CI 0.15-0.54); paracolic gutters inspection (p=0.033; HR 0.50; 95% CI 0.26-0.95) and liver surface biopsies (p=0.048; HR 0.64; 95% CI 0.41-0.98).Toxicity was generally mild and non-haematologic events were the most commonly found (62.9% of the total). The most frequent haematologic toxicities were neutropenia (41.7% in all grades, 9.5% grade 3-4) and anaemia (29.1% in all grades, 3.2% grade 3-4). CONCLUSIONS: The long-term outcome of this series is comparable to the published evidence and reflects the limited activity of platinum-based CT in the adjuvant setting. The potential survival advantage of the addition of paclitaxel to carboplatin cannot be definitively answered due to the small number of patients, the limited follow-up and the retrospective nature of the study. More effective and specific treatments are clearly required, in particular for those patients with stage II and undifferentiated tumours. Quality of surgery entails prognostic value (AU)

In vitro cytotoxicity of novel platinum-based drugs and dichloroacetate against lung carcinoid cell lines

INTRODUCTION: Chemotherapy for advanced well-differentiated carcinoids is characterised by low response rates and short duration of responses. The present study aimed to assess the in vitro activity of novel platinum-based chemotherapeutic drugs in combination with dichloroacetate (DCA), a sensitiser to apoptosis, against lung carcinoid cell lines. METHODS: Three permanent cell lines (UMC-11, H727 and H835) were exposed to 14 different established cytotoxic drugs and the novel platinum-based compounds as satraplatin, JM118 and picoplatin in combination with DCA, and viability of the cells was measured using a tetrazoliumbased dye assay. RESULTS: With exception of the highly chemoresistant UMC- 11 line, the carcinoid cell lines (H727, H835) were sensitive to the majority of chemotherapeutics in vitro. Among the platinum-based drugs, carboplatin and oxaliplatin showed highest efficacy. H835 cells growing as multicellular spheroids were 2.7-8.7-fold more resistant to picoplatin, satraplatin and its metabolite compared to single cell suspensions. DCA (10 mM) inhibited the growth of UMC- 11 cells by 22% and sensitised these highly resistant cells to carboplatin, satraplatin and JM118 1.4-2.4-fold. CONCLUSION: The highly resistant UMC-11 lung carcinoid cells are sensitive to carboplatin, oxaliplatin and the satraplatin metabolite JM118, but multicellular spheroidal growth, as observed in the H835 cell line and pulmonary tumourlets, seems to increase chemoresistance markedly. The activity of carboplatin and JM118 is significantly and specifically increased in combination with the apoptosis sensitiser DCA that promotes mitochondrial respiration over aerobic glycolysis. In summary, among the novel platinum drugs satraplatin has the potential for treatment of lung carcinoids and DCA potentiates the cytotoxicity of selected platinum drugs (AU)

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: clinical features, diagnosis, prevention and treatment strategies

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIN) is a common toxicity of anticancer treatment and its incidence is growing. It significantly affects quality of life and is a dose-limiting factor that interferes with treatment. Its diagnosis can be established in clinical terms but some complementary tests can help when the diagnosis is difficult. There is still no proven method to prevent it that has become a standard of care in spite of the huge amount of investigation carried out in recent years. There are promising strategies that could help reduce the burden of this complication. This review will suggest an approach to the diagnosis of these disorders and provide an update on new therapies (AU)

Intersticial pneumonitis after oxaliplatin treatment in colorectal cancer

Progressive respiratory failure developed in a 68 year-old female who was treated with single-agent oxaliplatin for colorectal cancer. Only one cycle of 5-fluorouracil had been previously administered. Computed tomography of the chest showed lesions that suggested pulmonary fibrosis. There was an unfavourable response to treatment with corticosteroids, antimicrobial and antifungical agents. Lung biopsy findings were compatible with interstitial pneumonitis. The patient died 20 days after admission due to irreversible respiratory failure. This is the first case reported in the literature of interstitial pneumonitis related to single-agent oxaliplatin administration

Avances en el diagnóstico y tratamiento del cáncer de ovario / No disponible

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