Toxicidad cutánea asociada a cetuximab en cáncer colorrectal metastásico / Cutaneous Toxicity Associated With Cetuximab Treatment in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Objetivo Evaluar la incidencia y el tipo de reacciones cutáneas secundarias al tratamiento con cetuximab y describir el protocolo terapéutico. Método Estudio retrospectivo de seguridad. Se seleccionaron los pacientes que recibieron cetuximab desde enero a diciembre de 2009. Se obtuvo la información consultando bases de datos Access y posterior revisión de historias clínicas. Se registraron los datos en una hoja de cálculo Excel. Para la gradación de la gravedad de la erupción cutánea se siguió la clasificación NCI-CTCAE. Resultados Recibieron tratamiento 43 pacientes. Presentaron erupción acneiforme 30 (69,8%): 14, grado 1 (48,3%); 13, grado 2 (44,8%), y 3, grado 3 (10,3%). La mediana de días hasta aparición de síntomas fue de 7 (4-28). Presentaron xerosis, tras una mediana de 40 (20-56) días, 10 pacientes (23,3%) y 3 (7%) manifestaron fisuras en manos y pies tras 28 (21-35) días. En dos pacientes aparecieron trastornos ungueales (como paroniquia) tras 42 (35-49) días. En cuanto a alteraciones del crecimiento del pelo: hubo dos casos de hipertricosis y un paciente experimentó un gran sobrecrecimiento de las pestañas. Se presentaron conjuntivitis importantes en cinco casos. Tuvieron lugar tres reacciones infusionales. Se aplicó a todos los pacientes un protocolo de tratamiento basado en la gravedad de la toxicidad cutánea. Conclusión El perfil de seguridad de cetuximab concuerda con el descrito en los estudios publicados. Se trata de efectos adversos cutáneos de aparición muy frecuente y de importantes consecuencias relacionadas con la efectividad de la terapia. La información al paciente y detección y tratamiento precoz de la sintomatología según un protocolo consensuado pueden favorecer el buen cumplimiento y el éxito terapéutico (AU)

Objective To evaluate the impact and type of side-effects in patients treated with cetuximab and provide a description of the general measures and treatment. Methods Retrospective safety study. We included all patients that received cetuximab from January to December 2009. All information was obtained from the Pharmacy and Oncology Department's Access databases and reviewed the patient's medical history. All data was registered in an Excel workbook. Skin toxicity was graded by the current National Cancer Institute-Common Toxicity Criteria (NCI-CTC).Results During the study period 43 patients received treatment with cetuximab. Acneiform eruption was present in 30 of the cases (69.8%): 14 patients with grade 1 (48.3%), 13 with grade 2 (44.8%) and 3 with grade 3 (10.3%). These adverse effects appeared in a median of seven (4–28) days. In a median of 40 (20–56) days, ten patients (23.3%) presented xerosis, and three (7%) suffered painful fissures in hands and feet after a median of 28 (21–35) days. Paronychia was present in two patients after a median of 42 (35–49) days. Finally, an alteration in hair growth was observed in two patients with overgrowth of facial hair and one patient with overgrowth of the eyelashes. Five patients presented important conjunctivitis. Three infusion reactions occurred. A grade-based treatment algorithm was used for all patients that presented cutaneous toxicity. Conclusions A considerable number of patients treated with cetuximab develop dermatological side-effects which left untreated could represent a threat to the efficacy of the therapy. Therefore effective management is mandatory, patient education and immediate treatment based on a grade-based algorithm to alleviate symptoms is necessary, so that patient compliance is guaranteed (AU)

[Cutaneous toxicity associated with cetuximab treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer]. / Toxicidad cutánea asociada a cetuximab en cáncer colorrectal metastásico.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact and type of side-effects in patients treated with cetuximab and provide a description of the general measures and treatment. METHODS: Retrospective safety study. We included all patients that received cetuximab from January to December 2009. All information was obtained from the Pharmacy and Oncology Department's Access databases and reviewed the patient's medical history. All data was registered in an Excel workbook. Skin toxicity was graded by the current National Cancer Institute-Common Toxicity Criteria (NCI-CTC). RESULTS: During the study period 43 patients received treatment with cetuximab. Acneiform eruption was present in 30 of the cases (69.8%): 14 patients with grade 1 (48.3%), 13 with grade 2 (44.8%) and 3 with grade 3 (10.3%). These adverse effects appeared in a median of seven (4-28) days. In a median of 40 (20-56) days, ten patients (23.3%) presented xerosis, and three (7%) suffered painful fissures in hands and feet after a median of 28 (21-35) days. Paronychia was present in two patients after a median of 42 (35-49) days. Finally, an alteration in hair growth was observed in two patients with overgrowth of facial hair and one patient with overgrowth of the eyelashes. Five patients presented important conjunctivitis. Three infusion reactions occurred. A grade-based treatment algorithm was used for all patients that presented cutaneous toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable number of patients treated with cetuximab develop dermatological side-effects which left untreated could represent a threat to the efficacy of the therapy. Therefore effective management is mandatory, patient education and immediate treatment based on a grade-based algorithm to alleviate symptoms is necessary, so that patient compliance is guaranteed.

Estudio de utilizacion de pemetrexed en el cancer de pulmon no microcitico / Study of use of pemetrexed in non-small cell lung cancer

Objetivo Estudiar la efectividad y la seguridad del pemetrexed en el cancer de pulmon no microcitico. Metodo Estudio retrospectivo (marzo 2006¨Cmayo 2008) de utilizacion de pemetrexed. Se obtuvo la informacion de bases de datos Access de los Servicios de Farmacia y Oncologia, del registro de visitas a consultas externas y de la historia clinica. Los datos se analizaron con SPSS v12.0. Las variables cuantitativas se expresaron con la mediana (minimo-maximo). Resultados Fueron 44 pacientes (61,7 años [39¨C77]) la mayoria hombres (86%), fumadores/exfumadores (80%), histologia epidermoide/escamosa (46%) o adenocarcinoma (36%), con buen estado funcional (86%) y estadio iii o superior al inicio del tratamiento con pemetrexed (93%). El tratamiento previo con taxanos y este junto con la neutropenia previa fueron los criterios de cambio a pemetrexed en el 34,4 y el 22,7% de los pacientes, respectivamente. Ningun paciente presento respuesta completa o parcial; el 18,2% mostro enfermedad estable y el 81,8% progresion de la enfermedad, siendo los principales motivos de retirada del pemetrexed la progresion de la enfermedad (54,5%) y el empeoramiento clinico (15,9%). La mediana de supervivencia desde el inicio de la quimioterapia fue de 22,2 meses (16¨C28,4) y desde el inicio con pemetrexed fue de 7,8 meses (4,4¨C11,2), siendo esta significativamente mayor en las mujeres y de aquellos con valor 0-1 en la escala Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. Los efectos adversos mas frecuentes fueron astenia y neurotoxicidad. Conclusion Pemetrexed se ha utilizado en todos los casos como segunda linea o superior con buen perfil de seguridad. En ningun caso se alcano respuesta completa o parcial, pero la supervivencia desde el inicio de pemetrexed iguala o supera a la de otros estudios (AU)

Objective To study the effectiveness and safety of pemetrexed in non-small cell lung cancer. Method Retrospective study (March 2006¨CMay 2008) of pemetrexed use. Information was obtained from the Access database belonging to the Pharmacy and Oncology Departments, the registry of external consultations and clinical histories. Data were analysed using SPSS software version 12.0. Quantitative variables are expressed as the median (minimum-maximum).Results The study included 44 patients (61.7 [39¨C77] years old), mostly male (86%), smokers or former smokers (80%) with predominantly epidermoid/squamous disease (46%) or adenocarcinoma, in a good functional state (86%) and in stage ¡ÝIII upon beginning pemetrexed treatment (93%). Prior treatment with taxanes and taxane treatment along with a prior history of neutropoenia were the criteria for changing to pemetrexed in 34.4% and 22.7% of the patients, respectively. None of the patients presented a complete or partial response: 18.2% showed disease stability and 81.8% showed disease progression. The main reasons for discontinuing pemetrexed were progression of the disease (54.5%) and worsening of symptoms (15.9%). Median survival after beginning chemotherapy was 22.2 months (ranging from 16¨C28.4) and 7.8 months (4.4¨C11.2) after beginning pemetrexed treatment. These last figures were significantly higher in women and those with an ECOG of 0 to 1. The most common adverse effects were weakness and neurotoxicity. Conclusion In each of the cases, pemetrexed was used as a second-line treatment or higher with a good safety profile. A complete or partial response was not reached in any of the cases, but survival after beginning pemetrexed was equal to or longer than that achieved in other studies (AU)

[Study of use of pemetrexed in non-small cell lung cancer]. / Estudio de utilización de pemetrexed en el cáncer de pulmón no microcítico.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effectiveness and safety of pemetrexed in non-small cell lung cancer. METHOD: Retrospective study (March 2006-May 2008) of pemetrexed use. Information was obtained from the Access database belonging to the Pharmacy and Oncology Departments, the registry of external consultations and clinical histories. Data were analysed using SPSS software version 12.0. Quantitative variables are expressed as the median (minimum-maximum). RESULTS: The study included 44 patients (61.7 [39-77] years old), mostly male (86%), smokers or former smokers (80%) with predominantly epidermoid/squamous disease (46%) or adenocarcinoma, in a good functional state (86%) and in stage > or =III upon beginning pemetrexed treatment (93%). Prior treatment with taxanes and taxane treatment along with a prior history of neutropoenia were the criteria for changing to pemetrexed in 34.4% and 22.7% of the patients, respectively. None of the patients presented a complete or partial response: 18.2% showed disease stability and 81.8% showed disease progression. The main reasons for discontinuing pemetrexed were progression of the disease (54.5%) and worsening of symptoms (15.9%). Median survival after beginning chemotherapy was 22.2 months (ranging from 16-28.4) and 7.8 months (4.4-11.2) after beginning pemetrexed treatment. These last figures were significantly higher in women and those with an ECOG of 0 to 1. The most common adverse effects were weakness and neurotoxicity. CONCLUSION: In each of the cases, pemetrexed was used as a second-line treatment or higher with a good safety profile. A complete or partial response was not reached in any of the cases, but survival after beginning pemetrexed was equal to or longer than that achieved in other studies.