4-step, 2-h carboplatin desensitization in Japanese patients with ovarian cancer: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Carboplatin is a key drug for ovarian cancer. However, it sometimes induces hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) that result in the discontinuation of the treatment. Although various desensitization protocols have been reported in previous retrospective studies, a limited number of prospective studies have analyzed these protocols. METHODS: Patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer who experienced carboplatin-induced HSRs were treated with diluted solutions of 1/1000, 1/100, 1/10 and an undiluted solution of carboplatin over a 1-h period. If no HSRs occurred within the first two cycles, a short protocol regimen over a 30-min period per solution was followed. The primary endpoint was treatment completion rate. RESULTS: Between May 2015 and September 2018, 21 patients were enrolled from two institutions. One patient experienced platinum-sensitive recurrence after the desensitization protocol; thus, 22 sessions were analyzed. Epinephrine use, treatment-related death, and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions did not occur. The median number of desensitization cycles was 6 (range 1-6). Two sessions were discontinued early because of grade 2 dysgeusia and grade 2 malaise. Treatment in two (9.1%) patients was discontinued because of HSR development. The treatment completion rate was 90.9%. Six (27.3%) sessions met the criteria for transition to the short protocol regimen. In 14 (63.6%) sessions, HSRs were observed during infusion of the undiluted solution. The median progression-free survival and overall survival were 14.8 and 23.8 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: This 4-step, 2-h carboplatin desensitization protocol is safe and feasible. Patients require careful monitoring with a rapid response to HSRs, especially during the administration of undiluted solutions.

[Acute Hyperuricemia and Kidney Injury after Three Cycles of Dose-Dense Chemotherapy for Retroperitoneal Choriocarcinoma -- A Case Report].

CASE: A 32 year-old man was diagnosed with retroperitoneal choriocarcinoma with metastasis to the lungs and liver. One cycle of modified BEP regimen did not sufficiently decrease the hCG. Therefore, we chose the GETUG 13 protocol of dose dense chemotherapy. After 6 days of cisplatin administration(3 cycles), he was diagnosed with acute hyperuricemia and kidney injury. He was treated with intravenous hydration and rasburicase. The hyperuricemia improved after a few days.

Attitudes and practice patterns for maintaining relative dose intensity of chemotherapy in outpatient clinics: results of a Japanese web-based survey.

BACKGROUND: This analysis was undertaken to evaluate the practice patterns of Japanese physicians regarding curative-intent chemotherapy, especially in outpatient settings, and to define factors negatively affecting the maintenance of relative dose intensity (RDI). METHODS: We performed a web-based questionnaire survey of Japanese physicians involved in malignant lymphoma chemotherapy (Group ML) or in breast cancer chemotherapy (Group BC). The questionnaire inquired how they manage low-risk febrile neutropenia (FN) caused by initial chemotherapy for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL) or by adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer in an outpatient setting. RESULTS: Valid responses were obtained from 185 physicians in Group ML and 160 in Group BC. In Group ML, 76 % (n = 141) of the physicians were board-certified hematologists, while 82 % (n = 131) of the physicians in Group BC were board-certified surgeons. A significantly higher proportion of physicians in Group ML responded that "dose reduction is not required for the subsequent course of chemotherapy after the first episode of FN" than in Group BC (ML versus BC; 77 % versus 31 %; P < 0.001). Significantly higher proportions of physicians in Group ML were more likely to prophylactically administer antibiotics or granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF; ML versus BC; antibiotics: 36 % versus 26 %, P = 0.049; G-CSF: 25 % versus 16 %, P = 0.047). Eighty six percent (n = 159) of Group ML and 70 % (n = 112) of Group BC responded that "emergency outpatient unit is open at all hours". CONCLUSIONS: Japanese physicians are more likely to administer reduced doses of chemotherapy to patients with breast cancer than to patients with malignant lymphoma. Supportive infrastructures should be improved to ensure the provision of adequate chemotherapy to all cancer patients.

[Treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia].

The prognosis of cancer patients with anemia is poor. In Japan, these patients are treated only with red blood cell transfusions, and doctors cannot use erythropoiesis stimulating agents(ESAs)such as epoetin and darbepoetin. On the other hand, ESAs are widely used in the USA and Europe to treat patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia. However, the results of randomized controlled trials(RCTs)and meta-analysis have suggested that the use of ESAs was correlated with increasing incidence of venous thromboembolism(VTE)and mortality. The American Society of Clinical Oncology(ASCO)and the American Society of Hematology(ASH)guidelines, revised in 2010, recommend the minimal use of ESAs for patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia, except for anemic cancer patients who are not currently receiving chemotherapy. A change in the target hemoglobin(Hb)level to achieve a concentration of 12 g/dL was recommended in 2007 as the lowest concentration required to avoid transfusions. We discuss the cause of anemia in cancer patients, and examine the current state of the clinical use and problems associated with ESAs.