[Efficacy of AboundTM for hand-foot syndrome caused by capecitabine].

Hand-foot syndrome( HFS) has been reported to be the most common adverse effect of capecitabine, with an incidence of more than 50%. AboundTM, containing ß-hydroxy-ß-methyl butyric acid( HMB), L-glutamine, and L-arginine is effective in the treatment of decubitus ulcers and in wound healing; however, whether AboundTM is efficacious for HFS caused by capecitabine is not clear. This study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of AboundTM in the recovery from HFS caused by capecitabine. Capecitabine administration was discontinued in 6 patients with more than grade 2 HFS, and AboundTM was administered. The time to recovery was examined. The median time to recovery to less than grade 1 HFS was 10 days( range, 4-14 days). The grade of HFS decreased following the administration of AboundTM. The findings of this study suggest that AboundTM is effective against HFS caused by capecitabine.

[Evaluation of outpatient clinical pathway, including the supportive therapy of S-1+cisplatin combination therapy for gastric cancer].

S-1+cisplatin (CDDP) combination therapy is a standard regimen for advanced gastric cancer and is usually administered within the hospital environment. Recently, ambulatory chemotherapy has been applied to treat various cancers. For the realization of outpatient treatment, it is necessary to strengthen supportive therapy. We developed a comprehensive and supportive care clinical pathway. The use of this pathway in combination with the expertise of pharmacists has resulted in enhanced supportive therapy, reduced side effects, and increased treatment intensity.

[Examination of factors influencing continuity of S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy for gastric cancer patients].

After Adjuvant Chemotherapy Trial of S-1 for Gastric Cancer(ACTS-GC), adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 is a standard treatment for stage II or III gastric cancer patients. In this study, we retrospectively examined factors that influence the continuity of S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy. We analyzed the clinical documentation of 27 gastric cancer patients being treated with S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients who completed the treatment without reduction dose were classified into a complete group(n=14), and those for whom S-1 was discontinued or reduced due to adverse reactions were classified into a reduced/discontinuation group(n=13). First, we examined the background factors at baseline between these two groups. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the operative procedure, leukocyte count, and serum creatinine level at baseline were identified as factors that influence the continuity of S-1 chemotherapy. Next, we investigated the hematological and nutritional conditions of these patients during the treatment period. The loss of body mass index(BMI)during the treatment period was remarkable in the reduced/discontinuation group regardless of the operative procedure. This result suggests that an early nutritional intervention might be important for gastric cancer patients undergoing S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy.

[Gastrojejunostomy followed by chemotherapy with S-1 in unresectable gastric cancer with pyloric stenosis].

We investigated the efficacy of gastrojejunostomy followed by S-1-based chemotherapy for unresectable gastric cancer with pyloric stenosis. We performed gastrojejunostomy and S-1-based chemotherapy in 14 unresectable gastric cancer patients with gastric outlet obstructions between April 2006 and June 2010. Although there were two complications after surgery, no treatment-related deaths were observed. The response rate of the S-1-based chemotherapy was 41.7%, and the median survival after surgery was 12.3 months. All patients were tolerating a regular diet and a significant improvement in oral intake lasted for at least 6 months. In conclusion, gastrojejunostomy followed by chemotherapy with S-1 appears to be an effective treatment modality for unresectable gastric cancer with pyloric stenosis. It enables us to practice S-1-based standard chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer and improve the quality of life of patients.

[Assessment of nausea and vomiting during FEC regimen for breast cancer after the novel antiemetic agent - introduction using MASCC antiemesis tool].

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting(CINV)is one of the side effects causing significant psychological and physical suffering in patients receiving chemotherapy. Because CINV often impairs patients' quality of life and leads to discontinuation of treatments, antiemetic therapy has been considered important. The MASCC Antiemesis Tool(MAT)was proposed for the assessment of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting after, we evaluated the actual situation of nausea and vomiting for Japanese patients. In a previous investigation, even conventional antiemesis therapy was a highly effective treatment during the acute phase, but the control of nausea and vomiting during the delayed phase proved difficult. Recently, a new5 -HT3 receptor blocker(palonosetron)and an NK1 receptor blocker(aprepitant) were introduced, and an effective treatment of nausea and vomiting for the delayed phase is non expected. In this examination, we evaluated the usefulness of the new antiemetic drugs(palonosetron and aprepitant)in 12 prospective patients with breast cancer(40-69 years old, median age 53 years old)for whom FEC therapy was given as an ambulant treatment using MAT. No vomiting occurred in the acute and delayed phase. Nausea during the acute phase was controlled, and was mild during the delayed phase, also. It was confirmed that the onset of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting were relieved by the newantiemetic agents compared with the previous MAT evaluation.

[Evaluation of the S-1 granule forms in gastric cancer patients who received treatment with S-1 capsule-questionnaire survey about drug dosage forms].

The S-1(tegafur/gimeracil/oteracil potassium)granule was developed to meet the needs of patients with cancer. Although the choice of the patients was thought to spread by the addition of the new agent type, the recognition of the S-1 granule is still low and you should adapt yourself to what kind of patients or are unknown. Therefore, we conducted a questionnaire survey of patients with gastric cancer undergoing treatment with S-1 capsules to investigate the adaptation and taste of the patients. As a result, although it was the investigation by the patients during S-1 capsule remedy, it was replied when 21. 3%(13/61 case)'had good granule,'and all cases raised it by the reason of there'not being the sense of incongruity of the throat at taking.'Also, about the global assessment of granule, the proportion of patient who replied'very good'or'good'were 31. 1% and 47%, in all cases and in the cases that felt the sense of incongruity of the throat during S-1 capsule remedy, respectively. Therefore, in the patients treated with the S-1 capsule, there were thought to be the patients who expected treatment with a granule. By the results of this survey, it was found that it is necessary to perform a medical teaching including dosage form to contribute to the adherence improvement of the patients.

[Examination of continuity of S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy for gastric cancer patients after gastrectomy].

Next to ACTS-GC (Adjuvant Chemotherapy Trial of S-1 for Gastric Cancer), adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 is the standard treatment for stage II or III gastric cancer patients.In this study, we retrospectively examined the continuity and adverse reaction of S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy in 30 gastric cancer patients who visited our hospital from 2007 to 2008, and compared them with those of patients treated with ACTS-GC. Whereas the persistent rate of S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy for one year in ACTS-GC was 65.8%, it was 86.7% in our hospital.The RP (Relative performance) value in cases who completed S-1 adjuvant therapy for one year in ACTS-GC and for one year in our hospital was 81.2% and 88.5%, respectively. Grade 3/4 adverse events in our hospital were leukopenia (3.3%), neutropenia (16.7%), and anorexia(6.7%). In conclusion, our hospital has shown a far greater continuity with S- 1 adjuvant chemotherapy than with ACTS-GC, a result suggesting that S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy is feasible in clinical practice.

[A case of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy successfully treated by H2-blocker, lafutidine].

We report a 75-year-old female gastric cancer patient with paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy, which was successfully treated by the H2-blocker, lafutidine. From December 2007, she underwent second-line chemotherapy using paclitaxel (80 mg/m/2 day 1, 7, 14/28 days) for peritoneal dissemination which had been refractory to first-line chemotherapy using S-1 (80 mg/m / 2, day 1-28/42 days). After 2 courses, CT showed a complete response (CR) of the peritoneal dissemination. However, at the same time peripheral neuropathy appeared, which was aggravated to grade 3 at the 6th course. Beginning with the 7th course, we administered lafutidine (10 mg/day) for peripheral neuropathy, which recovered to grade 1 after 14 days of lafutidine administration. Lafutidine was administered until July 2008, when peripheral neuropathy kept grade 1 without lafutidine. After 9 courses, paclitaxel therapy failed because of general fatigue.

[A case of bleeding tendency due to warfarin in a patient treated with chemotherapy by S-1].

A 82-year-old male patient had suffered from a cancer of the papilla of Vater. After the operation, he received 4 courses of gemcitabine(GEM)adjuvant chemotherapy and warfarin(WF)administration because of thrombosis in the left internal jugular vein. Since the tumors re-grew, GEM was discontinued, and chemotherapy including S-1 and GEM was examined. However, the chemotherapy could not be continued because of edema in both lower legs and tassel midway in the 2nd course. Because of a bleeding tendency(non-measurable INR(international normalized ratio of prothrombin time)), WF administration was discontinued on the 11th day after S-1/GEM combined therapy was suspended. On the following day, although the INR value recovered to 1.7, it gradually worsened and the symptoms of pulmonary embolism developed on the 13th day. Then, INR was controlled by continuous infusion of heparin. Since the INR level decreased after that, in addition to heparin, re-medication of WF was performed. We tried to analyze the genotype of a patient, who had a tendency to bleed by coadministration of WF with S-1, in terms of hepatic cytochrome P-450(CYP)2C9 and vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1(VKORC1). We also measured the plasma concentration of S-and R-WF by HPLC after obtaining informed consent from the patient. We found that he is homozygous for CYP2C9 1/1 and for A/A of VKORC1(-1639G>A). The obtained data did not show the abnormalities of blood coagulation. Because the genotype of a patient with a tendency to bleed was a major type in a Japanese population, fine monitoring of INR is required in order to prevent side effects of blood coagulation by S-1 and WF coadministration, regardless of patient genotypes.

[Management of hand-foot syndrome in patient treated with capecitabine].

Capecitabine is one of the most effective oral regimens of chemotherapy against advanced or recurrent breast cancer. In addition, capecitabine could widely be used for treatment of colon cancer. It appears that more patients will be administered capecitabine because of its QOL benefits. However, Hand-Foot Syndrome(HFS)may appear to be about 50% of the patients who take this regimen. As a result, the patient's QOL is hindered and led to a reduction of the dosage or discontinuation of the treatment depending on the grade of adverse event. This time, we evaluated the efficacy of topical emollients, creams and vitamin B6 for prevention and reduction of HFS symptoms for patients who received capecitabine. We found the efficacy of preventative measures that the occurrence of HFS grade 1 or above could be decreased and delayed. We also noticed that these preventative measures appear to be decreased the occurrence of HFS grade 2 or above, which led to a reduction of dosage or discontinuation of the treatment. For continuation and completion of the treatment and securing of patient's QOL, the supportive measures are needed to control a variety of side effects, such as HFS and others, and a team care support is indispensable.