[Cytostatic prescription errors: an analysis of causes, and proposals regarding their prevention]. / Errores de prescripción en citostáticos: análisis de sus causas y propuestas para prevenirlos.

OBJECTIVE: To collect and analyze prescription errors for parenterally-administered cytostatic drugs, to identify causes from results obtained, and to suggest feasible solutions to prevent them. METHOD: In our hospital, parenterally-administered cytotoxic drugs are prepared in the Pharmacy Department, where 100% of prescriptions are validated with the help of a software program. Prescription errors detected at validation over a 2-year period of time were recorded in a specific form to facilitate analysis. RESULTS: In all, 292 possible errors were detected and 183 were confirmed; most resulted from dosing errors, followed by incorrect treatment duration. Other errors detected included: dose or drug omitted, wrong administration route, wrong patient, and wrong medication. The following measures were suggested: improvement of the data processing system at the Pharmacy Department, implementation of an electronic prescription system, continuous updating of cytostatic therapy protocols, and inclusion of cytostatic prescription recommendations within Pharmacotherapeutic Guidelines. CONCLUSION: Most common errors included doses above or below the correct ones, with the primary cause being poor handwriting in manual prescriptions. Active recording of prescription errors is essential if an analysis of real causes in our setting is to be undertaken, as well as to making proposals and implementing definite solutions.

[Lapatinib plus transtuzumab for HER-2 positiva metastatic breast cancer: experience of use]. / Lapatinib en combinación con trastuzumab en el tratamiento del cáncer de mama metastásico HER2 positivo: Experiencia de uso.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the outcomes produced by concomitant use of HER2-receptor inhibitors Lapatinib and Trastuzumab for the treatment of HER 2-positive metastatic breast cancer. METHOD: Retrospective observational study. Patients treated with Trastuzumab and Lapatinib between January of 2010 and May of 2012 were selected. Demographical and clinical data were gathered. RESULTS: 23 patients with metastatic breast cancer (mean age 59.3 ± 13.3 years) were included. All of them had received an average of 5 treatment lines with at least one of them including Trastuzumab. The median progression-free survival rate with combined Lapatinib + Trastuzumab, with or without associated chemotherapy was 7 months (95% CI: 2.78-11.21) and 3 months for the patients only receiving Lapatinib and Trastuzumab. Seven patients experienced adverse events and in four patients the treatment was stopped due to toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment with HER2-receptor inhibitors in our patients resulted in progression-free survival rates similar to those published in clinical trials with patients receiving Lapatinib + Trastuzumab not combined with any other anti-cancer therapy, with good treatment tolerability.

Objetivo: Describir los resultados obtenidos con la utilización conjunta de dos inhibidores del receptor HER2 (lapatinib y trastuzumab) en el tratamiento del cáncer de mama metastático HER 2 positivo. Método: Estudio observacional retrospectivo. Se seleccionaron pacientes en tratamiento con trastuzumab y lapatinib entre enero de 2010 y mayo de 2012. Se recogieron datos demográficos y clínicos. Resultados: Se incluyeron 23 pacientes con cáncer de mama metastático (edad media de 59,3 ± 13,3 años). Todos ellos habían recibido una media de 5 líneas de tratamiento previo con al menos una línea de tratamiento con trastuzumab. La mediana de supervivencia libre de progresión con lapatinib + trastuzumab combinado con o sin otra quimioterapia asociada fue de 7 meses (IC 95%: 2,78-11,21) y de 3 meses para las pacientes que sólo recibieron lapatinib y trastuzumab. Siete pacientes tuvieron efectos adversos y en cuatro pacientes se suspendió el tratamiento por toxicidad. Conclusiones: El tratamiento con dos inhibidores del receptor HER2 en nuestras pacientes ha resultado en una supervivencia libre de progresión similar a la de los ensayos clínicos publicados cuando las pacientes recibieron lapatinib + trastuzumab y no se combinó con otra terapia antineoplásica, con buena tolerancia al tratamiento.