Pharmacists' Behavioral Changes after Attending a Multi-Prefectural Palliative Care Education Program.

Central to the pharmacist's role in palliative care is symptom management through direct participation in patient care and the provision of optimal pharmacotherapy to support patient outcomes. Consequently, palliative care requires extensive knowledge and action for patients with cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate how pharmacists' behavior changed after attending a palliative care educational program. We conducted a web-based questionnaire survey examining the behavior of pharmacists regarding palliative care before participating in the program, two months after participating in the program, and eight months after participating in the program to determine their behavior and changes over time. For all questions, scores were higher at two and eight months after attending the program than before attending the program (p < 0.05). In addition, no significant difference was observed between two and eight months after attending the program for any question (p = 0.504-1.000). The knowledge gained from the educational program was used to repeatedly intervene with patients with cancer in order to address the various symptoms they experienced and maintain their behavior. The proven effectiveness of this program serves as a stepping stone for nationwide rollout across Japan's 47 prefectures.

Assessing the ability of the Cancer and Aging Research Group tool to predict chemotherapy toxicity in older Japanese patients: A prospective observational study.

INTRODUCTION: The Cancer and Aging Research Group (CARG) prediction tool was designed in the United States to predict grade ≥ 3 chemotherapy-related adverse events (CRAE) in older patients. However, its usefulness among Japanese people, who have different sensitivities to anticancer drugs and life expectancy, remains unknown. We aimed to prospectively evaluate the utility of the CARG tool for predicting severe CRAE in older Japanese patients with cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with solid tumors aged 65 years and older who commenced anticancer drug regimens from April 2018 to October 2020 were divided into three groups (low, medium, and high-risk) based on their CARG risk scores. Toxicity was prospectively observed by a pharmacist. The primary objective was to evaluate the correlation between the incidence of grade ≥ 3 CRAE and the CARG risk score. The secondary objective was to evaluate hematological and non-hematological toxicities. CRAE incidence was compared among the three groups using a closed testing procedure: (1) Cochran-Armitage test for trend and (2) chi-square test for paired comparison. RESULTS: The patients (N = 165) had a median age of 71 years (range: 65-89 years). CRAE in patients divided into low-, medium-, and high-risk groups, based on CARG risk scores, were 39%, 55%, and 82%, respectively (low vs high; p < 0.001, medium vs high; p < 0.01). The incidence of severe hematologic toxicity was 37%, 35%, and 50% in the low-, medium-, and high-risk groups, respectively; the incidence of severe non-hematologic toxicity was 15%, 36%, and 65%, respectively (low vs medium; p < 0.01, low vs high; p < 0.001, and medium vs high; p < 0.01). DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, this is the first prospective observational study to validate the CARG prediction tool in older Japanese patients with cancer. The CARG risk score may be effective in predicting the development of non-hematologic toxicities. These results should be considered when administering chemotherapy to older Japanese patients with advanced solid tumors.

[Factors Associated with the Continuation of Anamorelin in Patients with Cancer-associated Cachexia: A Single-center Retrospective Study].

Cancer-associated cachexia, a multifactorial syndrome involving loss of muscle mass and anorexia, affects the survival of cancer patients. Anamorelin was the first drug approved in Japan for the treatment of cachexia. However, cases in which anamorelin is discontinued within 3 weeks are often observed in clinical practice. This study aimed to explore the factors associated with continued anamorelin dosing. We retrospectively reviewed records of patients with lung, gastric, pancreatic, and colorectal cancer who started anamorelin at Fukuoka University Hospital from April 2021 to November 2022. Patients were divided into two groups based on the duration of anamorelin administration: 15 patients were classified into the <3 weeks group and 22 were classified into the ≥3 weeks group. The primary objective was to explore the potential factors associated with the continuation of anamorelin, and the secondary objectives were to compare survival and nutritional indices. In the univariate analysis, there were significant differences between the two groups in terms of cancer type (p=0.007) and serum albumin level (p=0.026). In the multivariate analysis, gastric cancer and albumin 2.7 g/dL or less were associated with the continuation of anamorelin. Survival was significantly shorter in the <3 weeks group (p=0.019). This study suggests that the continuation of anamorelin may be influenced by specific tumor types and serum albumin levels. Furthermore, the duration of anamorelin administration may affect patient survival.

Association between pre-treatment with statin and its inhibitory effect on the onset of coronary artery disease at the time of coronary computed tomography angiography: a new look at an old medication.

Coronary artery stenosis is often advanced by the time coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). Statins are the most important anti-lipidemic medication for improving the prognosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Although lipid-lowering therapy using statins appears to have been established as a method for preventing CAD, there remains the problem that CAD cannot be completely suppressed. In this study, we investigated whether pre-treatment with statin could significantly inhibit the onset of CAD when patients received CCTA for screening of CAD. The subjects were 1164 patients who underwent CCTA as screening for CAD. CAD was diagnosed when 50% or more coronary stenosis was present in the coronary arteries. Patient backgrounds were investigated by age, gender, body mass index, coronary risk factors [family history of cardiovascular diseases, smoking history, hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), dyslipidemia, chronic kidney disease (CKD) or metabolic sydrome] and medications. Patients were classified into two groups according to the presence or absence of statin pre-administration during CCTA [statin (-) group (n = 804) and (+) group (n = 360)]. Compared with the statin (-) group, the statin (+) group was significantly older and had higher rates of family history, HTN, and DM. The statin (+) group had a significantly higher % CAD than the statin (-) group. Serum levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly lower in the statin (+) group than in the statin (-) group. There was no significant difference in either high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels or triglyceride levels between the two groups. Age, male gender, HTN, DM and pre-treatment with statin were all associated with CAD (+) in all patients. In addition, factors that contributed to CAD (+) in the statin (-) group were age, male gender, and DM, and factors that contributed to CAD (+) in the statin (+) group were age, smoking, HTN and % maximum dose of statin. At the time of CCTA, the statin (+) group had a high rate of CAD and coronary artery stenosis progressed despite a reduction of LDL-C levels. To prevent the onset of CAD, in addition to strict control of other coronary risk factors (HTN etc.), further LDL cholesterol-lowering therapy may be necessary.

Factor Analysis of Fatigue in the Early Stages of Cancer Chemotherapy.

Patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer frequently experience fatigue, which can significantly lower their quality of life and interfere with treatment. However, the risk factors for the occurrence of chemotherapy-induced fatigue (CIF) are unclear. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of CIF in 415 patients newly treated with chemotherapy at Fukuoka University Hospital between December 2020 and July 2022, and analyzed the factors that influence the occurrence of fatigue. The observation period was defined as the two-week period starting from the day after the induction of chemotherapy, and we collected data retrospectively from medical records. Fatigue was assessed based on Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0 by pharmacists who interviewed patients. The prevalence of fatigue was 56.4% (234/415). Nausea and vomiting, anorexia, hypoalbuminemia, and a high blood urea nitrogen/creatinine (BUN/Cr) ratio were extracted as risk factors for CIF. The prevalence of fatigue in 95 patients with nausea and vomiting was 83.2% (79/95), of whom 74.7% (59/79) had concomitant anorexia. Patients with nausea and vomiting had a high prevalence of both fatigue and anorexia, indicating that control for nausea and vomiting is crucial for the prevention of CIF. The serum albumin level reflects the nutritional status of patients approximately three weeks before chemotherapy, and BUN/Cr ≥20 indicates dehydration. Patients with a poor nutritional status or dehydration should be closely monitored for fatigue before and during treatment. These findings offer new prospects for healthcare providers to avoid or reduce CIF and improve patients' quality of life by early control of CIF risk factors.

[The Department of Pharmacy at Fukuoka University Hospital's Role in Preventing Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation in Patients Taking Oral Anticancer Drugs].

At the Department of Pharmacy of Fukuoka University Hospital, hepatitis B virus(HBV)screening tests, and HBV-DNA quantitative monitoring, are conducted before starting chemotherapy with injectable anticancer drugs. If certain tests have not been performed, the pharmacists order them as part of the protocol based pharmacotherapy management(PBPM)system. However, the status of HBV-related testing among patients taking oral anticancer drugs is unclear. Therefore, we surveyed the status of HBV-related testing in patients, who were prescribed oral anticancer drugs with a label warning regarding HBV reactivation, at our hospital between August 1 and September 30, 2021. We examined the effect of pharmacist support for HBV reactivation measures based on the PBPM. During the study, 247 patients were prescribed oral anticancer drugs, and 36% did not undergo HBV screening or HBV-DNA quantitative monitoring. Screening or monitoring was performed in most cases after they were ordered by the pharmacists or after informing the physicians. These results suggest that HBV-related testing in patients taking oral anticancer drugs is inadequate, and pharmacist support based on the PBPM may help prevent the development of hepatitis and facilitate the continuation of anticancer drug treatment for underlying diseases.

Effectiveness of educational program on systematic and extensive palliative care in cancer patients for pharmacists.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Continuing education is essential for pharmacists to acquire latest knowledge. Our previously established educational program for pharmacists on the systematic and extensive palliative care of cancer patients was evaluated for its educational effectiveness in one urban prefecture. However, whether the same learning effect can be achieved when a program is expanded from one urban prefecture to multiple rural prefectures is unclear. In this study, we examined whether the continuing education program would be useful to pharmacists, even if the scale was expanded. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY AND SETTING: With the aim of correcting educational disparities in the region, pharmacists living in nine prefectures in the Kyushu area underwent a systematic and extensive palliative care educational program for six days (with 24 topics in total). They were administered a questionnaire before and after each topic to evaluate their level of understanding. FINDINGS: The level of understanding of the 24 topics in the program that palliative care pharmacists underwent, from "basic knowledge" to "clinical application," significantly improved (P < .01). SUMMARY: The educational program for pharmacists is useful even when implemented on a larger scale. We believe that our efforts are important for improving community-based care.

[A Case of Rheumatoid Arthritis Caused by Pembrolizumab Treatment for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer].

A man in his 40s underwent a transbronchial lung biopsy and received a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the right upper lobe of the lung(cT4N0M0, Stage Ⅲ)with no EGFR gene mutation, no ALK fusion gene, no ROS1 fusion gene, and a tumor proportion score(TPS)of 50-74%. During the postoperative follow-up period, enlarged right supraclavicular lymph nodes and right upper and lower paratracheal lymph nodes were detected, diagnosed as recurrence by positron emission tomography-computed tomography. Although a positive rheumatoid factor test, as the patient had no symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis(RA), treatment with pembrolizumab was initiated. Before the second treatment course, a pharmacist conversing with the patient observed that the patient was experiencing pain in his fingers. After discussing the possibility of treatment continuation and test items with the attending physician, the patient underwent tests and received a diagnosis of RA.

Evaluation of changes in pharmacist behaviors following a systematic education program on palliative care in cancer.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Attitudes, experience, and knowledge of healthcare professionals guide the care they provide and are particularly important factors affecting the quality of palliative care. Palliative care education for pharmacists is crucial for improving quality of care and effective participation on the palliative care team. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY AND SETTING: We previously developed and reported a systematic and multifaceted pharmacist education program for cancer-related palliative care. We compared 12 behavioral changes immediately (August 2017) and two years after (October 2019) participation in this systematic education program (SEP) to evaluate if participants were performing pharmaceutical management appropriately and to assure that behaviors had not deteriorated. FINDINGS: Of 88 participants in the SEP, 36 responded to the survey (response rate 40.9%). There was no significant difference in the behavioral change items of pharmacists immediately after participating in the SEP (2017) and two years later (2019) (4.47 vs. 4.58, P = .47). SUMMARY: We confirmed that behavioral changes developed by the SEP were maintained over a significant time. This indicates that knowledge was firmly established in the participants such that they could continue utilizing it long after participating in the SEP. Our study showed that participating in this SEP not only enabled participants to acquire knowledge regarding palliative medicine but also led to continued behavioral changes based on this knowledge.

Antithrombin gamma attenuates macrophage/microglial activation and brain damage after transient focal cerebral ischemia in mice.

AIMS: Thrombin formation is increased in patients with acute cerebral ischemic stroke, and augments coagulation and inflammation in the brain. Administration of antithrombin (AT) was previously reported to be protective against renal and myocardial ischemic injury. Thus, we hypothesized that treatment with AT would be neuroprotective against cerebral ischemic injury. This study evaluated the effects of AT treatment on ischemic inflammation and brain damage in mice subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). MAIN METHODS: A mouse model of 4-hour MCAO was used to induce ischemic brain injury. Recombinant AT gamma was administered intravenously immediately after reperfusion at 4 h after MCAO. Infarct volume, neurological deficit, and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) were measured at 24 h after MCAO. To evaluate the effect of AT gamma on ischemic inflammation, we measured the number of Iba1-positive cells (marker of macrophage/microglial activation) and levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Further, we investigated the direct anti-inflammatory effects of rAT in the J774.1 cell line. KEY FINDINGS: Treatment with AT gamma (480 U/kg) reduced infarct volume and neurological deficit, and improved rCBF, in MCAO mice. Moreover, AT gamma treatment decreased the number of Iba1-positive cells and levels of proinflammatory cytokines. In vitro, treatment with thrombin significantly increased proinflammatory cytokine levels, which was significantly reduced by pretreatment with AT gamma. SIGNIFICANCE: Treatment with AT showed neuroprotective effects via anticoagulation actions, as well as direct anti-inflammatory effects on macrophage/microglial activation. These data suggest that AT may be a useful new therapeutic option for cerebral ischemia.

The small molecule STF-62247 induces apoptotic and autophagic cell death in leukemic cells.

Adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) is an aggressive malignant T cell disease caused by human T cell leukemia virus-I (HTLV-1). Treatment outcomes for aggressive subtypes of ATL remain poor, with little improvement in overall survival since HTLV-1 was discovered. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies for ATL are required. STF-62247 induces autophagy and selectively kills renal cell carcinoma without apoptotic cell death. Here, we demonstrate that STF-62247 reduced cell viability and resulted in autophagosome accumulation and autophagy in leukemic cell lines (S1T, MT-2, and Jurkat). Interestingly, STF-62247 induced apoptosis in HTLV-1-infected cell lines (S1T and MT-2), as indicated by DNA fragmentation and caspase activation, but not in non-HTLV-1-infected Jurkat cells; a caspase inhibitor did not prevent this caspase-associated cell death. STF-62247 also increased nuclear endonuclease G levels. Furthermore, STF-62247 reduced cell viability and increased the number of apoptotic cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected from patients with acute ATL, which has a poor prognosis. Therefore, STF-62247 may have novel therapeutic potential for ATL. This is the first evidence to demonstrate the cell growth-inhibitory effect of an autophagy inducer by caspase-dependent apoptosis and caspase-independent cell death via autophagy and endonuclease G in leukemic cells.

[A Survey of the Adverse Effects and Influence of Concomitant Drugs for Methotrexate Intrathecal Administration].

In general, the intraventricular administration of cytotoxic antitumor drugs provides a high drug concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid with a reduced risk of systemic adverse reactions. Methotrexate (MTX) high-dose therapy requires close monitoring when performed in combination with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (ST) therapy and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug administration for excretion delay and toxicity enhancement. While the frequency of systemic side effects is thought to be low with intrathecal administration, such effects do rarely but occasionally occur. We must consider drug interactions with combination therapy as a potential factor inducing such effects. We examined the patients who received MTX intrathecal administration at Fukuoka University Hospital from January 2013 to December 2014 with respect to the onset of side effects and combination therapy. MTX intrathecal administration was performed a total of 79 times in 27 patients. In five of these 27 patients, MTX intrathecal administration was performed twice a week, and hematotoxicity and non-hematotoxicity developed in two patients in whom ST was also administered. On the other hand, even if ST and/or PPI was administered, no side effects were observed in the patients administered levofolinate.

[A Case of Albumin-Bound Paclitaxel-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy without Exacerbation].

Albumin-bound paclitaxel(nab-PTX)-associated neuropathy decreases the quality of life of cancer patients and leads to dose modification, discontinuation of chemotherapy, and occasionally dose-limiting toxicity. In the present case study, a 92- year-old female patient with peritoneal cancer of carcinomatous peritonitis and carcinomatous ascites was treated with carboplatin plus nab-PTX every 4 weeks as first-line chemotherapy, and a good response was achieved following 4 cycles of this regimen. However, the patient developed Grade 3 peripheral neuropathy and stopped the therapy. As a result, the peripheral neuropathy gradually improved. After 1 year, ascites appeared, and tumor marker(CA125)levels increased. We tried an 8-h infusion of nab-PTX to avoid peripheralneuropathy. After 4 cycles, a positive response was achieved without exacerbation of the peripheralneuropathy. Administering nab-PTX over shorter periods of time has generally led to increased peripheral neuropathy. The severity of peripheralneuropathy can be reduced with a longer infusion time.

[Exploration of the Factors Influencing Multi-Drug Cancer Chemotherapy in the Elderly - A Retrospective Study].

Multi-drug administration is problematic in elderly patients, and the situation is further complicated in those with cancer, owing to a high possibility of side effects and augmentation due to interactions between concomitant or previous drugs the patients are receiving and the anti-cancer drugs administered. Analysis of the factors that influence the likelihood of cancer chemotherapy multi-drug administration in the elderly showed that age alone was a fundamental risk factor for multi-drug administration, comorbidities, and drug interactions. In addition, the risks of drug interaction with chemotherapy were approximately 5.8 fold for drugs administered to treat hypertension, and approximately 10.3 fold for cardiovascular agents. Because of increased cancer morbidity, it is important to reduce the risks associated with the treatment.

[Survey on Information Sharing and Approaches to Cooperation between Hospitals and Community Pharmacies in the Care of Outpatients Receiving Chemotherapy].

Outpatients undergoing chemotherapy receive oral anticancer drugs, supportive care medicine, and drugs for complications from health insurance pharmacies(ie, drugstores). Therefore, drugstore personnel and patients were surveyed using a questionnaire to ascertain the current conditions of information sharing between drugstores and hospitals. Only 31% of the patients surveyed responded that they received cancer chemotherapy via the drugstores, while a few of them understood the need for information sharing with the drugstore. We also found that the drugstores required a considerable amount of patient information including prescribed therapeutic drugs, treatment regimens, disease conditions, and test value. Therefore, we held a study session and clinical conference to facilitate the creation of an information-sharing system. In conclusion, it is imperative for drugstores and hospitals to cooperate and establish a strategy for information sharing in the future.

Comparison of predictive accuracy of teicoplanin concentration using creatinine clearance and glomerular filtration rate estimated by serum creatinine or cystatin C.

We compared the predictive accuracy of TEIC concentrations (TEIC_conc) calculated using either serum cystatin C (CysC) or serum creatinine (SCr) and the population mean method using the mean population parameter of TEIC_conc for Japan. We also compared the predicted TEIC_conc to measured TEIC_conc. Creatinine clearance (CLCr) predicted using the Cockcroft-Gault (C&G) equation with SCr was 45.23 mL/min (interquartile range [IQR]: 32.12-58.28), and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) predicted using the Hoek equation with CysC was 45.23 mL/min (IQR: 35.40-53.79). The root mean-squared prediction error (IQR) based on CLCr predicted using the C&G equation with SCr was 6.88 (3.80-9.96) µg/mL, and that based on GFR predicted using the Hoek equation with CysC was 6.72 (3.77-9.68) µg/mL. Predicted TEIC_conc did not differ significantly between the two methods. The predictive accuracy of the TEIC_conc using the Hoek equation with CysC was similar to that of CLCr using the C&G equation with SCr. These findings suggest that the predictive accuracy of the TEIC_conc using CLCr based on the G&G equation and SCr might be sufficient for the initial dose adjustment of TEIC. Given that we were unable to confirm that CysC is the optimal method for predicting TEIC_conc, the expensive measurement of CysC might not be necessary.

Pharmacokinetics and elimination efficiency of linezolid during dialysis.

Linezolid (LZD) is an option for treating infections caused by multi-resistant Gram-positive bacteria. The protein-binding rate of LZD markedly influences its elimination by dialysis, with limited data suggesting that LZD is cleared by intermittent hemodialysis. Here, we investigated the protein-binding rate and elimination efficiency of LZD in a sepsis patient receiving dialysis. The oral administration of LZD at 600 mg/day resulted in protein-binding and free rates of the drug of 20.4% and 79.6%, respectively, 24 h after administration. By comparing the LZD concentration before and after dialysis, the elimination efficiency of free LZD as a result of dialysis was found to be 40.6%. Our sepsis patient showed higher plasma concentrations of LZD at trough after hemodialysis than the reported concentrations in normal renal function patients. However, it is not clear from our present findings if a relationship exists between myelosuppression and plasma LZD concentration.

[Cautions for pharmaceutical care in cancer patients-comparative evaluation between cancer and non-cancer].

Cancer patients have greater physical and mental anxiety than non-cancer patients because of the severity of their disease and the strong side effects of anticancer drugs. In this study, therefore, we sent out questionnaires to both cancer and noncancer patients to investigate the specific patient education for reducing anxiety of cancer patients, and compared the results in detail in Miyazaki Prefectural Miyazaki Hospital. The number of days of patient education was significantly more in cancer patients than in non-cancer patients. However, regardless of the number of days of patient education, understanding the level of side effects was significantly higher in cancer patients than in non-cancer patients. A significant correlation was shown between the relief level of patients and the listening level of pharmacists in both patient groups. Regarding the level of patient understanding, a significant correlation was shown between treatment methods and all of the other factors(effects of drugs, patients' degree of relief, pharmacists' degree of attentiveness). On the other hand, a significant correlation was shown only between treatment methods and effects of drugs on the level of understanding in non-cancer patients. These results suggest that characteristic patient education should be conducted for cancer patients, and that it would be best if it is done early on.

Pharmacokinetics of carboplatin in a hemodialysis patient with small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: We examined a method to determine the dose of carboplatin and the timing of hemodialysis in carboplatin-based chemotherapy for a hemodialysis patient with cancer. METHODS: Carboplatin-based chemotherapy was performed for a patient with small-cell lung cancer who was receiving hemodialysis. The dose of carboplatin was calculated based on body surface area in the first cycle (480 mg/body, Day 1) and based on the Calvert formula with the aim of achieving AUC of 5 mg/ml min in the second cycle (170 mg/body, Day 1). Carboplatin was continuously infused for 1 h on Day 1 of each cycle. Hemodialysis was performed for 4 h beginning 1 h after administration of carboplatin. RESULTS: The AUC of free carboplatin administered in the first and second cycles was 13.45 and 5.74 mg/ml min, respectively, and t (1/2) was 24.66 and 21.84 h, respectively. Protein binding ratio depended on the time after administration and reached a value ≥50% only at ≥24 h administration. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, a value close to the targeted AUC can be obtained in a hemodialysis patient with cancer when carboplatin is administered at a dose determined based on the Calvert formula. These results may be useful to achieve a targeted AUC in hemodialysis patients. A certain amount of carboplatin can be eliminated by performing hemodialysis in an early phase when protein binding ratio is low after transition to the elimination phase to enable stable the concentration.

Influence of linezolid clearance on the induction of thrombocytopenia and reduction of hemoglobin.

INTRODUCTION: Although linezolid (LZD) has proven effective for the treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-positive cocci, thrombocytopenia and anemia associated with reduced hemoglobin (Hb) levels are common side effects. To study the association between the development of these adverse effects and blood LZD levels, the authors evaluated the correlation between LZD clearance (LZD-CL), platelet (PLT) counts and Hb levels. METHODS: Sixteen patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection were administered LZD over a period of 4 to 41 days, and blood was collected at variable time points beginning on day 4 (n = 31). Blood LZD levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography, and LZD-CL was estimated by the population pharmacokinetics mean parameter and Bayesian methods. The relationship between the estimated LZD-CL and reductions in PLT counts and Hb levels was then evaluated by regression analysis. RESULTS: During the LZD treatment period, a weak correlation was identified between the LZD-CL rate and PLT counts (r(2) = 0.31, n = 31). Significantly, the regression analysis between LZD-CL and Hb levels showed a stronger correlation (r(2) = 0.54, n = 31), with Hb levels clearly decreasing with reductions in the LZD-CL rate. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing treatment with LZD, low LZD-CL rates correlated with reductions of both PLT counts and Hb levels, suggesting that increase of blood LZD levels influences hematopoietic function. Because a strong correlation was noted between LZD-CL and Hb levels, closely monitoring changes in Hb levels during treatment with LZD may detect the development of adverse effects such as thrombocytopenia and anemia.