Influence of the implementation of a multidisciplinary consultation program on adherence to the first ever course of oral antineoplastic treatment in patients with cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate adherence (as measured by the medication possession ratio) to the first ever course of oral antineoplasic treatment in cancer patients before and after the implementation of a multidisciplinary consultation program (involving an oncologist, a pharmacist, and a nurse) and to investigate the program's impact on adverse events and drug-related problems. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a retrospective single-center study, we compared the medication possession ratio 2 months after treatment initiation in a control group (before multidisciplinary consultation program implementation) versus an interventional group (after multidisciplinary consultation program implementation). RESULTS: Two months after oral antineoplasic treatment initiation, the mean ± standard deviation medication possession ratio did not differ significantly when comparing the interventional (multidisciplinary consultation program) group (n = 33; 0.99 ± 0.06) with the control group (n = 64; 0.94 ± 0.16) (p = 0.062). Patients in the multidisciplinary consultation program group had fewer adverse events in general (41, vs 109 in the control group; p = 0.048) and digestive adverse events in particular (6 vs 29, respectively; p = 0.007). A total of 53 and 40 drug-related problems were identified in the control and multidisciplinary consultation program groups, respectively (p = 0.074). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of an multidisciplinary consultation program was not associated with a significant difference in drug adherence (as assessed by the medication possession ratio), which was good before and after implementation. The multidisciplinary consultation program was associated with a lower incidence of adverse events.

Thrombotic Microangiopathy Revealing Bone Metastases from an Ethmoid Sinus Carcinoma.

Cancer-related thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a rare entity whose clinical and biological characteristics have been described in various tumors. Here we describe the first case of cancer-related TMA revealing diffuse bone metastases from an ethmoid sinus carcinoma.

Two cases of fatal encephalopathy related to Ifosfamide: an adverse role of aprepitant?

Ifosfamide is used in the treatment of sarcomas and other tumors. It sometimes provokes encephalopathy, which is a serious complication even if it is usually reversible within 48-72 h after drug cessation. Ifosfamide is required to be activated by hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP), especially the 3A4 subtype, leading to 4-hydroxy-ifosfamide. Ifosfamide is also converted by CYP3A4 to inactive but neurotoxic metabolites. Aprepitant is a neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist that is a potent antiemetic used in combination with 5-HT3 antagonists and corticosteroids. Aprepitant has an inhibitory effect, as well as a possible inductive effect, on CYP3A4. Since ifosfamide and aprepitant are both substrates of CYP3A4, a pharmacokinetic interaction could result in secondary effects such as the potentialization of neurological side effects. In this report, we describe 2 cases of fatal encephalopathy in patients who have received both ifosfamide and aprepitant, and we discuss the mechanisms that could be involved. Our observations draw attention to the fact that aprepitant must be avoided, or at least used with caution, in patients who are receiving ifosfamide due to the risk of severe neurological side effects.

Exploring frontiers: use of complementary and alternative medicine among patients with early-stage breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasingly popular among cancer patients but can interfere with conventional therapies; timely data are needed to adapt current patients' care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This transversal, prospective study evaluated the use of CAM among patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy or endocrine therapy for early stage breast cancer. We assessed the prevalence of use, the motivations and predictive factors for use, as well as patients' information needs over a three months period. RESULTS: 69/184 responders (37.5%) reported using at least one CAM. CAM use was associated with younger age (p = 0.03) and higher education level (p < 0.001). Pharmacological substances (e.g., homeopathy, phytotherapy) were the most commonly used (79.7%) before physical means (42%) and dietary methods (31.9%). A total of 65.8% of users felt that these treatments have demonstrated evidence of efficacy and 74.8% that they were not associated with side effects. The main goal for use was improvement of treatment-related symptoms (28.3%); secondary goal was increasing the general health status (20.5%). Patients reported high needs for information on CAMs. CAM use was associated with mild differences in secondary adverse events reported by patients. CONCLUSION: Breast cancer patients are common users of CAM concomitantly to their conventional cancer treatments and should be investigated regarding their current consumption of CAM. Furthermore, they need advice evidence-based data on these treatments and potential interactions with on-going treatments.

Triple-negative breast cancer: are we making headway at least?

The so-called triple-negative breast cancer, as defined by tumors that lack estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression, has generated growing interest in recent years despite representing less than 20% of all breast cancers. These tumors constitute an important clinical challenge, as they do not respond to endocrine treatment and other targeted therapies. As a group they harbor an aggressive clinical phenotype with early development of visceral metastases and a poor long-term prognosis. While chemotherapy remains effective in triple-negative disease, research continues to further identify potential new targets based on phenotypical and molecular characteristics of these tumors. In this respect, the presence of a higher expression of different biomarkers including epidermal growth factor receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, fibroblast growth factor receptor and Akt activation has led to a proliferation of clinical trials assessing the role of inhibitors to these pathways in triple-negative tumors. Moreover, the described overlap between triple-negative and basal-like tumors, and the similarities with tumors arising in the BRCA1 mutation carriers has offered potential therapeutic avenues for patients with these cancers including poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors and a focus on a higher sensitivity to alkylating chemotherapy agents. Results from these trials have shown some benefit in small subgroups of patients, even in single-agent therapy, which reflects the heterogeneity of triple-negative breast cancer and highlights the need for a further subclassification of these types of tumors for better prognosis identification and treatment individualization.