Effectiveness and safety of eribulin for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative metastatic breast cancer in a real-world population.

BACKGROUND: Eribulin's clinical benefit remains unclear; so, studies analyzing its effectiveness in routine clinical practice are interesting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a multicenter, retrospective study including patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-negative metastatic breast cancer which assesses effectiveness and safety of eribulin. RESULTS: A total of 140 women were included, with a median age of 57 years. The median overall survival and progression-free survival were 8.8 (95% confidence interval: 6.1-11.4) and 2.8 months (95% confidence interval: 2.5-3.1), respectively. For patients with hormonal receptor expression, a significantly longer progression-free survival was observed: 3.4 (95%confidence interval: 2.3-4.5) versus triple negative: 2.0 (95%confidence interval: 1.7-2.3) months, p = 0.003. Also, those who had received capecitabine prior to eribulin had a higher median overall survival than those who had not received it (9.5 months, 95% confidence interval: 6.6-12.5 vs. 4.8 months, 95% confidence interval: 3.4-6.2; p = 0.001). When only triple-negative patients were included, median overall survival was 6.5 (95% confidence interval: 0.1-16.2) for those who had received previous capecitabine versus 4.3 (95% confidence interval: 2.8-5.8) months for patients who had not received it; p =0.006. The safety profile of eribulin was adequate. CONCLUSION: Effectiveness of eribulin in a real-life human epidermal growth factor receptor-2--negative population is lower than that observed in clinical trials. Its benefit seems to be higher in patients with hormonal receptor expression and patients who had received capecitabine prior to eribulin. The safety profile of eribulin is adequate.

Chronic-pharma: New Platform for Chronic Patients Pharmacotherapy Optimization.

We describe the technological development of a web platform named CHRONIC-PHARMA that integrates three prescription support tools for patients with chronic diseases: Anticholinergic Burden Calculator (ABC), LESS-CHRON criteria and TRIGGER-CHRON. They focus on the optimization and evaluation of pharmacotherapy in patients with chronic diseases, resulting in a useful, single platform that can facilitate the review of pharmacotherapy and improve the safety of chronically ill patients. This is achieved by estimating and reducing the anticholinergic risk (ABC), detecting opportunities for deprescribing drugs and monitoring its success (LESS-CHRON criteria), as well as calculating the risk of adverse drug events (TRIGGER-CHRON). The platform is freely accessible online ( https://chronic-pharma.com/ ) as well as through a mobile application, and therefore easily accessible among the healthcare community.

Indirect comparison of anti-interleukin 17 targeted biological treatments for moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease with an important disease burden worldwide and its treatment includes systemic therapies which have advanced over time to target specific immune cytokines such as interleukin-17. The main objective of this study was to compare the relative efficacy of brodalumab, ixekizumab and secukinumab (three anti-interleukin-17 drugs) through adjusted indirect treatment comparisons (ITCs). METHODS: A search was carried out in June 2019, consulting these databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library. Studies including patients with moderate to severe psoriasis randomized to receive treatment with anti-interleukin-17 drugs or ustekinumab and with outcomes such as Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 75, PASI 90 and PASI 100 scores or static Physician's Global Assessment (sPGA), were included. ITCs were carried out using the method proposed by Bucher et al RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Five randomized clinical trials were included. Analysing short-term data, there were no statistically significant differences between any pair of drugs in terms of PASI 75, PASI 100 or sPGA/sIGA 0/1. Analysing long-term data, statistically significant differences were only observed for secukinumab versus brodalumab in terms of PASI 100 (Absolute risk reduction -12.9%; 95% confidence interval -22.7% to -3.1%). WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: The ITCs indicated no efficacy differences between anti-interleukin-17 drugs, except for secukinumab versus brodalumab 52-week analysis in terms of achieving PASI 100. All three drugs appear to act as equivalent clinical treatments for psoriasis. However, independent head-to-head trials should be carried out.

[Pharmacological treatment conciliation methodology in patients with multiple conditions]. / Metodología de conciliación del tratamiento farmacológico en pacientes pluripatológicos.

OBJECTIVE: To carry out a bibliographic review in order to identify the different methodologies used along the reconciliation process of drug therapy applicable to polypathological patients. DESIGN: We performed a literature review. Data sources The bibliographic review (February 2012) included the following databases: Pubmed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Spanish Medical Index (IME). The different methodologies, identified on those databases, to measure the conciliation process in polypathological patients, or otherwise elderly patients or polypharmacy, were studied. Study selection Two hundred and seventy three articles were retrieved, of which 25 were selected. Data extraction Specifically: the level of care, the sources of information, the use of registration forms, the established time, the medical professional in charge and the registered variables such as errors of reconciliation. RESULTS: Most of studies selected when the patient was admitted into the hospital and after the hospital discharge of the patient. The main sources of information to be highlighted are: the interview and the medical history of the patient. An established time is not explicitly stated on most of them, nor the registration form is used. The main professional in charge is the clinical pharmacologist. Apart from the home medication, the habits of self-medication and phytotherapy are also identified. The common errors of reconciliation vary from the omission of drugs to different forms of interaction with other medicinal products (drugs interactions). CONCLUSIONS: There is a large heterogeneity of methodologies used for reconciliation. There is not any work done on the specific figure of the polypathological patient, which precisely requires a standardized methodology due to its complexity and its susceptibility to errors of reconciliation.

Analysis of retreatment with monoclonal antibodies in chronic/episodic migraine: Real world data.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the response to retreatment in patients with chronic/episodic migraine who discontinued therapy with erenumab/fremanezumab after 1 year of treatment. METHODS: Observational, retrospective, single-center, multidisciplinary study in patients with chronic/episodic migraine who received therapy with erenumab/fremanezumab for at least 1 year and discontinued it after achieving an adequate response (optimization). The evaluation of the response after retreatment included the following variables: DMM, MIDAS, and HIT-6 scales at the beginning of retreatment and 3 months later. The response was evaluated in different subgroups (episodic/chronic, erenumab/fremanezumab, and time until retreatment). RESULTS: 48 patients were included. 70.8% (n=34) required retreatment with mAb, with a median of 3.9 (2.9-6.4) months until reintroduction. Clinical response after retreatment was achieved in 67.6% (n=23) of patients. No statistically significant differences were found in the analyzed subgroups. CONCLUSION: Interruption of treatment with erenumab/fremanezumab for chronic/episodic migraine produces a clinical worsening of the disease requiring retreatment in most cases, approximately after 4 months. Two out of three patients respond positively after restarting monoclonal therapy. This response does not appear to be related to the type of migraine, the specific monoclonal antibody prescribed, or the time to retreatment.

Analysis to retreatment with monoclonal antibodies in chronic/episodic migraine: Real world data. / [Artículo traducido] Análisis del retratamiento con anticuerpos monoclonales en la migraña crónica/episódica: datos en vida real.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the response to retreatment in patients with chronic/episodic migraine who discontinued therapy with erenumab/fremanezumab after one year of treatment. METHODS: Observational, retrospective, single-center, multidisciplinary study in patients with chronic/episodic migraine who received therapy with erenumab/fremanezumab for at least one year and discontinued it after achieving an adequate response (optimization). The evaluation of the response after retreatment included the following variables: migraine days per month, MIDAS and HIT-6 scales at the beginning of retreatment and 3 months later. The response was evaluated in different subgroups (episodic/chronic, erenumab/fremanezumab and time until retreatment). RESULTS: 48 patients were included. 70.8% (n=34) required retreatment with mAb, with a median of 3.9 (2.9-6.4) months until reintroduction. Clinical response after retreatment was achieved in 67.6% (n=23) of patients. No statistically significant differences were found in the analyzed subgroups. CONCLUSION: Interruption of treatment with erenumab/fremanezumab for chronic/episodic migraine produces a clinical worsening of the disease requiring retreatment in most cases, approximately after 4 months. Two out of three patients respond positively after restarting monoclonal therapy. This response does not appear to be related to the type of migraine, the specific monoclonal antibody prescribed, or the time to retreatment.

Real-world data of atezolizumab in patients with previously treated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials of atezolizumab for locally advanced or metastatic urothelial bladder cancer (mUBC) report controversial efficacy data. Furthermore, real-world evidence about this use is limited. AIM: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of atezolizumab in a real-world population with mUBC, to explore effectiveness with regard to selected poor prognostic criteria such as performance status by Eastern Oncology Cooperative Group (ECOG), hemoglobin levels and liver metastases, and to determine the safety profile of atezolizumab. METHOD: Multicenter, retrospective real-world study including previously treated mUBC patients who received atezolizumab. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Additionally, progression-free survival (PFS), best response reached and safety data were analyzed. A descriptive analysis was performed, while OS and PFS were estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: A total of 185 patients (84.9% men, median age 69 years) were included. Median PFS was 4.8 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.6-6.0], and median OS was 20.0 months (95% CI 11.8-28.5), with an objective response rate of 28.1%. OS was higher for patients with ECOG 0-1 versus 2-3 [24.5 months (95% CI 14.5-34.6) vs. 5.2 (95% CI 4.4-6.0), p = 0.004]; and for patients without liver metastases [25.4 months (95% CI 16.2-34.6) vs. 6.4 months (95% CI 4.0-8.1), p = 0.006]. Regarding hemoglobin levels, no survival differences were detected. Adverse events were registered in 55.1% of patients. CONCLUSION: In a real-world population with previously treated mUBC, atezolizumab seems to provide clinically relevant benefit, which is even higher for patients with ECOG 0-1 and without liver metastases, with an acceptable safety profile.

[Evaluation of the appropriateness of pharmacotherapy in patients with high comorbidity]. / Evaluación de la adecuación del tratamiento farmacológico en pacientes pluripatológicos.

OBJECTIVE: [corrected] To analyze the appropriateness of pharmacotherapy and, if necessary, carry out interventions for its improvement in a cohort of patients with multiple chronic conditions. DESIGN: Descriptive, prospective study of 21 months duration. LOCATION: Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with multiple chronic conditions included in a project for integrated healthcare. METHODS: The primary endpoint was the number of inappropriate treatments. To evaluate the appropriateness of pharmacotherapy, the specialist in hospital pharmacy followed a standardized procedure consisting of the Medication Appropriateness Index (MAI) questionnaire, modified as an implicit method, and the list of criteria of the Screening Tool of Older Person's Potentially Inappropriate Prescription/Screening Tool to Alert doctors to the Right (STOPP-START) as an explicit method. RESULTS: A total of 244 patients were included, with a mean age of 76 ± 8 (± SD) years. Half (50%) of the patients were men. The mean number of diagnoses per patient was 8 ± 3 (± SD) and 12 ± 4 drugs (± SD). A total of 840 inappropriate treatments were detected, most of them being due to the presence of interactions. The STOPP criteria most not complied with, were duplicate drug class, and prolonged use of benzodiazepines with long half-life or long-acting metabolites, and START for ACE inhibitors in chronic heart failure and statins and antiplatelets in diabetes mellitus, if one or more coexisting risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: We detected a large number of inappropriate treatments. This highlights the importance of evaluating the appropriateness of drug treatment in patients with multiple conditions. It is advisable to use a combined pharmacist intervention strategy that includes both an implicit method and an explicit method.

[Suitability of pharmacological treatment in patients with multiple chronic conditions]. / Adecuación del tratamiento farmacológico en pacientes pluripatológicos.

OBJECTIVE: To identify tools for measuring the appropriateness of drug therapy useful in patients with multiple chronic conditions. DESIGN: We performed a literature review. DATA SOURCES: The following database were consulted (December 2009): Pubmed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Spanish Medical Index (IME) to detect tools for measuring the appropriateness of treatment in patients with multiple chronic conditions, or otherwise elderly or polypharmacy. STUDY SELECTION: Studies were identified both qualitative and quantitative methodology, both theoretical and field work, both original and revised work and included work from all areas of the health system. 108 articles were retrieved, of which we selected 59. The consultation of their references include 20 jobs allowed, resulting in a total of 59 articles. DATA EXTRACTION: Of all the tools identified, the researchers performed a selection of those with possible utility for classified PP. The articles were classified into implicit and explicit methods and the characteristics of the field works were tabulated. RESULTS: We identified two implicit methods (MAI and Hamdy) and 6 explicit methods (Beers criteria, IPET, STOPP/START, ACOVE, CRIME and NORGEP). None was specific to patients with multiple chronic conditions. The questionnaire MAI, the Beers criteria and its modifications are most often used in literature. The advantages of explicit criteria means that many of them have been developed recently. CONCLUSION: There are several tools to measure the appropriateness and none of them has been designed for a population of patients with multiple chronic conditions yet, which by its nature requires a specific approach spreads.

Development of a Trigger Tool to Identify Adverse Drug Events in Elderly Patients With Multimorbidity.

PURPOSE: Elderly patients with multimorbidity are especially vulnerable to adverse drug events (ADEs) and had high prevalence rates. Identifying ADEs is essential for enabling timely interventions that can mitigate the adverse events detected and for developing targeted strategies to prevent their occurrence as well as to monitor implementation. The aim of this study was to develop a set with appropriate triggers for detecting potential ADEs in elderly patients with multimorbidity. METHODS: A modified Delphi methodology was used to reach consensus. Existing triggers for detecting ADEs in adult patients were identified from a literature search in several databases (EMBASE, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, and Cochrane Library) and from Institute for Healthcare Improvement published lists. Twelve experts in patient/medication safety or in chronic diseases scored candidate triggers for appropriateness according to 3 criteria (evidence, usefulness for elderly patients, and feasibility of implementation in clinical practice). RESULTS: Seventy-two triggers were initially selected to be evaluated. The final set includes a total of 51 triggers for which the panelists who completed the 2 rounds of evaluation reached agreement. These triggers were organized into 5 modules: 11 as care module triggers, 10 as antidotes/treatment, 11 medication concentrations, 18 abnormal laboratory values, and 1 as emergency department trigger. CONCLUSIONS: A set of triggers for detecting ADEs in elderly patients with multimorbidity have been developed, following the consensus of a panel of experts. Subsequent validation in clinical practice is needed to confirm the accuracy and efficiency of these triggers for this population.

Utility of a trigger tool (TRIGGER-CHRON) to detect adverse events associated with high-alert medications in patients with multimorbidity.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the utility of a tool (TRIGGER-CHRON) for identifying adverse drug events (ADEs) associated with the administration of high-alert medications in elderly patients with multimorbidity and to determine the medications most frequently implicated. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted at 12 Spanish hospitals. A random sample of five medical records from each hospital was selected weekly for review over a 12-week period. We included patients aged 65 and over with multimorbidities, hospitalised for >48 hours. ADEs detected by the 32 TRIGGER-CHRON signals and caused by high-alert medications included on the Spanish HAMC list for chronic patients were selected for analysis. Triggers identified and ADEs detected were recorded. The severity and preventability of the ADEs were evaluated. The positive predictive value (PPV) of each trigger was calculated. RESULTS: On 720 charts reviewed, 908 positive triggers were identified that led to the detection of 158 ADEs caused by at least one high-alert medication on the HAMC list. These ADEs occurred in 139 patients (prevalence 19.3/100 admissions). The majority of ADEs were mild and 59.5% were deemed preventable. The drugs most frequently associated with ADEs were corticosteroids, loop diuretics, opioid analgesics and oral anticoagulants. Fifteen triggers had PPVs ≥20%. Six triggers (serum glucose >110 mg/dL, abrupt cessation of medication, oversedation/lethargy, hypotension, adverse reaction recorded and constipation) accounted for 69.8% of the ADEs identified. CONCLUSIONS: Applying the TRIGGER-CHRON to hospitalised patients with multimorbidity in 12 Spanish centres allowed detection of one adverse event caused by a high-alert drug for every four patients, which were preventable in a large proportion of patients. This confirms the need to establish interventions that reduce harm with these medications. We believe that TRIGGER-CHRON can be a useful tool to measure this harm and to determine the effects of medication safety improvement programmes as they are implemented.

Real world study of pertuzumab-trastuzumabchemotherapy versus trastuzumab-chemotherapy in neoadjuvant treatment of breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of the study is to compare the  effectiveness of trastuzumab-chemotherapy with and without  pertuzumab. As a secondary objective, we seek to evaluate the cardiac  safety of the treatment. METHOD: Retrospective observational study including all patients treated with either pertuzumab-trastuzumab-chemotherapy (n = 10) or  trastuzumab-chemotherapy (n = 13) (January 2015-December 2018) in a specialty hospital, which met the criteria established by the  Commission Central for the Optimization and Harmonization of the  pharmacotherapy of the Andalusian Health Service for the use of  pertuzumab in neoadjuvance: HER2 positive tumor, negative hormonal  receptors, with high risk of relapse (tumor > 2 cm or lymph node  involvement). To assess effectiveness, the complete pathological  response was used. For cardiac safety, the decrease in left ventricular  ejection fraction greater than 10% was employed. RESULTS: Complete pathological response was superior in the  pertuzumab group (70.0% vs. 30.8%). Cardiac safety was similar in  both. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with HER2 positive tumors and negative hormonal receptors with high risk criteria that receive  pertuzumab, the complete pathological response is superior, with no  increase in cardiac toxicity.

Objetivo: El objetivo primario del estudio es comparar la efectividad trastuzumab-quimioterapia con y sin pertuzumab. Como  objetivo secundario se busca evaluar la seguridad cardiaca del  tratamiento.Método: Estudio observacional retrospectivo que incluyó todas las  pacientes tratadas con pertuzumab-trastuzumab-quimioterapia (n = 10) o trastuzumab-quimioterapia (n = 13) (enero 2015-diciembre 2018) en  un hospital de especialidades, que cumplían los criterios establecidos  por la Comisión Central para la Optimización y Armonización de la  farmacoterapia del Servicio Andaluz de Salud para uso de pertuzumab  en neoadyuvancia: tumor HER2 positivo, receptores hormonales  negativos, con alto riesgo de recaída (tumor > 2 cm o afectación  ganglionar). Para valorar la efectividad se utilizó la respuesta completa  patológica, y para la seguridad cardiaca, el descenso de la fracción de  eyección del ventrículo izquierdo superior al 10%.Resultados: La respuesta completa patológica fue superior en el grupo con pertuzumab (70,0% versus 30,8%). La seguridad cardiaca  fue similar en ambos.Conclusiones: Para las pacientes con tumores HER2 positivo y  receptores hormonales negativos con criterios de alto riesgo que reciben  pertuzumab, la respuesta completa patológica resulta superior,  sin observarse incremento de la toxicidad cardiaca.

Validation of the LESS-CHRON criteria: reliability study of a tool for deprescribing in patients with multimorbidity.

OBJECTIVE: The 'LESS-CHRON criteria' (List of Evidence-Based Deprescribing for Chronic Patients criteria) is a newly created tool with 27 criteria to guide deprescribing. It was developed using a Delphi methodology. Each criterion consists of drugs and their indications, conditions under which deprescribing would be considered, a health variable to be monitored after deprescribing and a follow-up period. The aim of our study was to evaluate the reliability of the LESS-CHRON criteria in a population of patients with multimorbidity to determine the possible usefulness of this tool in clinical practice. METHODS: We selected chronic patients with multimorbidity from an internal medicine unit who were older than 80 years old and were alive at the time of the study. To determine interobserver reliability, each professional (internist or hospital pharmacy specialist) applied the questionnaire under the same conditions and with the same resources. To determine intraobserver reliability, each health professional applied the tool at baseline and 2 months later. We measured interobserver and intraobserver reliability using the kappa coefficient. The proportion of overall agreement was also determined. RESULTS: We obtained a moderate overall kappa (ĸ=0.46, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.55) for interobserver reliability, and good (ĸ=0.65, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.78) and moderate (ĸ=0.59, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.74) values for intraobserver reliability for the internist and pharmacist, respectively. The proportion of overall agreement was very high: 92% (range: 62%-100%) for the interobserver, and 94% (80%-100%) and 93% (63%-100%) for the internist and pharmacist, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The LESS-CHRON criteria shows early promise as a reliable method to help guide deprescribing in patients with multimorbidity. Further, more complete testing with a larger sample of prescribers is needed.

Prevalence of drug interactions in elderly patients with multimorbidity in primary care.

Background Drug interactions (DIs) are a significant cause of medication-related problems. The aging population, high chronic diseases prevalence and polypharmacy are closely associated factors. Aim of the review To study the prevalence, types and associated factors of DIs in multimorbidity patients of over 65 years of age in primary care. Methods Relevant studies on DI prevalence in this population were reviewed in PubMed, Cochrane Library and EMBASE (January 2000-December 2015). Independent variables (duration, target population, age, sex, mean of drugs and diseases, geographical localization, DI databases used and study designs) and dependent variables (prevalence, number of DIs per 100 patients and per patient, number of clinically-relevant DIs per 100 patients, most common DI and associated factors) were classified for each article. Results The search generated 749 articles and 46 duplicates were discarded. After reviewing, 10 articles were included. Seven studies were observational and 3 were quasi-experimental. Seven out of 10 used interaction databases. Only 2 studies described both actual and potential DIs. The prevalence of multimorbidity patients with DI ranged from 25.1 to 100% and the number of DIs per 100 patients was from 30 to 388.3. All the lower values correspond to the study conducted at the nursing home. This could be due to special care offered in these centres, where the medication is more controlled. The most frequent DIs were reported in five articles. However, these results could not be correlated since they were ranked using different methodologies. ACEIs, diuretics and NSAID were the most common therapeutic groups. Finally, 5 studies identified factors associated with the presence of potential DIs. The number of drugs and age were the most significant factors. Conclusions There is little evidence of prevalence of actual and potential DIs in elderly patients with multimorbidity in outpatient settings, showing widely heterogeneous results.

Effectiveness and safety of pemetrexed for non-small cell lung cancer in the Andalusian Public Health System.

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.

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.

Estudio en vida real de pertuzumab-trastuzumabquimioterapia frente a trastuzumab-quimioterapia en neoadyuvancia en cáncer de mama / Real world study of pertuzumab-trastuzumab-chemotherapy versus trastuzumab-chemotherapy in neoadjuvant treatment of breast cance

OBJETIVO: El objetivo primario del estudio es comparar la efectividad de trastuzumab-quimioterapia con y sin pertuzumab. Como objetivo secunda-rio se busca evaluar la seguridad cardiaca del tratamiento. MÉTODO: Estudio observacional retrospectivo que incluyó todas las pa-cientes tratadas con pertuzumab-trastuzumab-quimioterapia (n = 10) o trastuzumab-quimioterapia (n = 13) (enero 2015-diciembre 2018) en un hospital de especialidades, que cumplían los criterios establecidos por la Comisión Central para la Optimización y Armonización de la farma-coterapia del Servicio Andaluz de Salud para uso de pertuzumab en neoadyuvancia: tumor HER2 positivo, receptores hormonales negativos, con alto riesgo de recaída (tumor > 2 cm o afectación ganglionar). Para valorar la efectividad se utilizó la respuesta completa patológica, y para la seguridad cardiaca, el descenso de la fracción de eyección del ven-trículo izquierdo superior al 10%. RESULTADOS: La respuesta completa patológica fue superior en el grupo con pertuzumab (70,0% versus 30,8%). La seguridad cardiaca fue similar en ambos. CONCLUSIONES: Para las pacientes con tumores HER2 positivo y recep-tores hormonales negativos con criterios de alto riesgo que reciben pertu-zumab, la respuesta completa patológica resulta superior, sin observarse incremento de la toxicidad cardiaca

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of the study is to compare the effec-tiveness of trastuzumab-chemotherapy with and without pertuzumab. As a secondary objective, we seek to evaluate the cardiac safety of the treatment. METHOD: Retrospective observational study including all patients treated with either pertuzumab-trastuzumab-chemotherapy (n = 10) or trastuzu-mab-chemotherapy (n = 13) (January 2015-December 2018) in a special-ty hospital, which met the criteria established by the Commission Central for the Optimization and Harmonization of the pharmacotherapy of the Andalusian Health Service for the use of pertuzumab in neoadjuvance: HER2 positive tumor, negative hormonal receptors, with high risk of relapse (tumor > 2 cm or lymph node involvement). To assess effectiveness, the complete pathological response was used. For cardiac safety, the de-crease in left ventricular ejection fraction greater than 10% was employed. RESULTS: Complete pathological response was superior in the pertuzu-mab group (70.0% vs. 30.8%). Cardiac safety was similar in both.CONCLUSIONS: For patients with HER2 positive tumors and negative hormonal receptors with high risk criteria that receive pertuzumab, the complete pathological response is superior, with no increase in cardiac toxicity

Use of pemetrexed for non-small cell lung cancer in the Andalusian public health system.

The aim of this study is to determine the profile of the use of pemetrexed in metastatic or locally advanced NSCLC in Andalusia and its variation over 2 years (2010-2011). A prescription-indication observational retrospective multicenter study was conducted. Adult patients with locally advanced/metastatic NSCLC who received pemetrexed in any hospital in the Andalusian Public Health System during the first term of 2010 or the last term of 2011 were included. We collected patients' baseline characteristics, tumour histology and stage, pemetrexed indication and performance status at the start of treatment. In all, 107 and 170 patients (62 ± 11 years old) from 17 hospitals were included in 2010 and 2011, respectively. The predominant histology was adenocarcinoma (85%), 88% of patients had stage IV tumours and 52% Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group stage (ECOG) 1. Pemetrexed indications in 2010 and 2011 were: First line combined with platinum (28.97-37.64%); first line combined with platinum and maintenance with pemetrexed (24.30-28.82%); second line mono-therapy (12.15-7.65%) and maintenance (2.15-7.05%). Off-label use was detected in 22.43% (2010) and 18.84% (2011). In conclusion, pemetrexed combined with platinum is mainly used as first-line treatment in NSCLC patients with stage IV, adenocarcinoma histologic subtype and good performance status. Off-label use is high (especially in 2010). An adequate therapeutic positioning for pemetrexed based on effectiveness and safety analysis should be defined, so that NSCLC patients could be beneficiated with the most cost-effective chemotherapy treatment.

Systematic review of efficacy and safety of pemetrexed in non-small-cell-lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer accounts for 20 % of cancer deaths in Spain. The most frequent subtype (87 %) is non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Pemetrexed is a recently marketed drug added to NSCLC therapeutic arsenal. It seems to have become one of the most used options for the treatment of this condition over the last 3 years. AIM OF THE REVIEW: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pemetrexed in NSCLC, in the different therapy lines. Method A systematic search of published literature was conducted using the main databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and the Center for Reviews and Dissemination) and subsequently a search of referenced literature was performed. We included clinical trials, meta-analyses and systematic reviews. The evaluation of the quality of the articles was performed by pairs using specific assessment scales, Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) adapted for CASP Spain. Then we extracted data on efficacy and safety according to the treatment line assessed. RESULTS: We identified 277 references. Finally, nine clinical trials and a meta-analysis complied with inclusion criteria. In first-line induction, treatment with pemetrexed associated with a platinum was similar in terms of efficacy to other alternative chemotherapy regimens, except in patients with non-squamous histology, in whom survival was higher in the experimental group. In maintenance treatment, greater efficacy was seen with pemetrexed in patients with non-squamous histology. In second-line treatment, there were no significant differences in terms of efficacy and safety for pemetrexed treatment versus other chemotherapy options. The most frequent adverse reactions were: hematological, gastrointestinal and neurological. All were significantly less frequent with pemetrexed versus other alternative therapies, except for liver toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the high degree of uncertainty as to its efficacy in certain subgroups of patients, including conflicting data; to its recent incorporation, and therefore lack of safety data in the medium and long term, and the high budgetary impact of its incorporation into health systems, it seems reasonable to optimize its use, identifying those patients who may benefit most.

[Medication reconciliation on hospital admission in patients with multiple chronic diseases using a standardised methodology]. / Errores de conciliación al ingreso hospitalario en pacientes pluripatológicos mediante metodología estandarizada.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of medication errors when admitting patients with multiple chronic conditions to hospital, using a standard method. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective, observational study was conducted on patients with multiple chronic conditions admitted to a tertiary hospital. The medication reconciliation was performed using the standard method considered the most suitable for these patients by an expert panel, following the Delphi methodology. The main information source used for this was the computerised clinical notes, both in primary care and in the hospital, recurring to a clinical interview if necessary. Discrepancies justified by the clinician, as well as reconciliation errors were recorded. The type of error and the pharmacological group involved were analysed and the seriousness of each one of them was assessed. RESULTS: A total of 114 patients were included, with reconciliation errors being found in 75.4% of cases. The patients had 1397 prescribed drugs, of which 234 had discrepancies that required clarification by the clinician responsible. The clinician modified the prescription in 184 of these discrepancies, which were considered reconciliation errors. The types of error were: medication omission (139), commission (9), dose, prescription or different routes (24) and by incomplete prescription (12). Anti-anaemic drugs, vitamins, and psychoanaleptics were among the pharmacotherapeutic groups most affected by the errors. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of patients with multiple chronic conditions with errors is elevated. The development of methods particularly directed at patients with multiple chronic conditions manages to detect and decrease a high percentage of medication errors associated with changes of care levels.

Selection of tools for reconciliation, compliance and appropriateness of treatment in patients with multiple chronic conditions.

BACKGROUND: The healthcare models developed for patients with multiple chronic diseases agree on the need for improving drug therapy in these patients. The issues of patient compliance, appropriateness of prescriptions and the reconciliation process are of vital importance for patients receiving multiple drug treatment. OBJECTIVE: To identify and select the most appropriate tools for measuring treatment compliance and appropriateness in multiple-disease patients, as well as the best reconciliation strategy. METHODS: The study used the Delphi methodology. We identified compliance and appropriateness questionnaires and scales, as well as functional organisation models for reconciliation that had been used in patients with multiple chronic conditions. Based on the strength of the evidence, their usefulness in these patients and ease of use, the panel selected the most appropriate ones. RESULTS: We selected 46 indications for the panel: 5 on compliance, 20 on appropriateness, and 31 on reconciliation. The tool considered most appropriate and with a high degree of agreement was the "Adherence to Refills and Medication Scale" questionnaire. For appropriateness, the Medication Appropriateness Index questionnaire was considered appropriate. The STOPP/START criteria were the most appropriate. The greatest degree of agreement regarding reconciliation was on the information that needed to be collected and the variables considered as discrepancies. CONCLUSIONS: The "Adherence to Refills and Medication Scale" questionnaire for compliance, the STOPP/START criteria, the Medication Appropriateness Index questionnaire for appropriateness and the development of a specific strategy for reconciliation were considered appropriate for the assessment of drug therapy in patients with multiple chronic conditions.