Eritrodisestesia palmoplantar tras tratamiento perioperatorio con quimioterapia / Palmoplantar erythrodysesthesia after perioperative treatment with chemotherapy

La eritrodisestesia palmoplantar es una reacción adversa que se asocia a la administración de docetaxel y fluoropirimidinas. La actividad de la enzima dihidropirimidina deshidrogenasa (DPD) determina la tasa de catabolismo del 5-Fluorouracilo (5-FU) y está sujeta a variabilidad interindividual y polimorfismo genético. Por tanto, los pacientes con deficiencia de DPD presentan un mayor riesgo de toxicidad. Presentamos el caso de un paciente tratado con docetaxel, oxaliplatino y 5-FU (esquema FLOT) que presentó toxicidad cutánea moderada y del que se sospechó deficiencia de DPD.(AU)

Palmoplantar erythrodysesthesia is an adverse event associated with the administration of docetaxel and fluoropyrimidines. The activity of the enzyme dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) determines the rate of catabolism of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and is subject to interindividual variability and genetic polymorphism. Therefore, patients with DPD deficiency present an increased risk of toxicity. We present the case of a patient treated with docetaxel, oxaliplatin and 5-FU (FLOT scheme) who presented moderate skin toxicity and who was suspected of DPD deficiency.(AU)

Identifying and preventing burnout in young oncologists, an overwhelming challenge in the COVID-19 era: a study of the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM).

BACKGROUND: Young oncologists are at particular risk of professional burnout, and this could have a significant impact on their health and care of their patients. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has forced rapid changes in professionals' jobs and training, with the consequent physical and psychological effects. We aimed to characterize burnout levels and determinants in young oncologists, and the effects of the pandemic on their training and health. METHODS: Two online surveys were conducted among oncology residents and young oncology specialists in Spain. The first addressed professional burnout and its determinants before the COVID-19 pandemic, while the second analyzed the impact of the pandemic on health care organization, training, and physical and psychological health in the same population. RESULTS: In total, 243 respondents completed the first survey, and 263 the second; 25.1% reported significant levels of professional burnout. Burnout was more common among medical oncology residents (28.2%), mainly in their second year of training. It was significantly associated with a poor work-life balance, inadequate vacation time, and the burnout score. Nearly three-quarters of respondents (72%) were reassigned to COVID-19 care and 84.3% of residents missed part of their training rotations. Overall, 17.2% of this population reported that they had contracted COVID-19, 37.3% had scores indicating anxiety, and 30.4% moderate to severe depression. Almost a quarter of young oncologists (23.3%) had doubts about their medical vocation. CONCLUSIONS: Burnout affects a considerable number of young oncologists. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on causes of burnout, making it even more necessary to periodically monitor it to define appropriate detection and prevention strategies.

Immune-related adverse events predict the therapeutic efficacy of anti-PD-1 antibodies in cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Cancer immune therapy has shown remarkable benefit in the treatment of a range of cancer types, although it may initiate autoimmune-related disorders in some patients. We have attempted to establish whether the incidence of irAEs after the use of anti-PD-1 antibodies nivolumab or pembrolizumab in advanced malignancies is associated with anti-PD-1 treatment efficacy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied patients treated with single-agent nivolumab or pembrolizumab for advanced cancer. irAEs (immune-related adverse events) were identified clinically and graded as per the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0. Efficacy was evaluated with objective response rate (ORR, immune-Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours [RECIST] criteria) progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Tests were performed to determine the association between irAEs and ORR, PFS or OS. RESULTS: We identified 106 patients. Primary diagnoses were lung cancer (n = 77), melanoma (n = 8), head and neck carcinoma (n = 7), renal carcinoma (n = 5), Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 3), urothelial carcinoma (n = 3) and gallbladder adenocarcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma and Merkel cell carcinoma (n = 1 each). IrAEs were observed in 40 patients (37.7%). The most frequent irAEs were hypothyroidism (n = 15), nephritis (n = 5) and hyperthyroidism (n = 4). Objective response was observed in 44 patients (41.5%), and median PFS was 5.5 months (0.5-31 months). Thirty-three of the 40 patients with irAEs had objective response (82.5%) in contrast with 11 of the 66 cases without irAEs (16.6%) (OR 23.5, P < 0.000001). PFS in patients with irAEs was 10 months and 3 months in those without irAEs (HR 2.2, P = 0.016). OS in patients with irAEs was 32 months and 22 in those without irAEs, without statistically significant differences. CONCLUSION: In advanced cancer treated with single-agent anti-PD-1 antibodies, patients with irAEs showed a markedly improved efficacy over patients without irAEs (ORR of 82.5% and PFS of 10 months vs ORR of 16.6% and PFS of 3 months). Future studies of anti-PD-1 immune-therapy should address this association to explore the underlying biological mechanisms of efficacy.

Anestesia espinal en dosis bajas para litotripsia extracorpórea (LEC): comparación de dos dosis de levobupivacaína hipobárica / Spinal anesthesia for extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy: comparison between two doses of hypobaric levobupivacaine

Introducción: Se han descrito diversas técnicas anestésicas para la Litotripsia Extracorpórea (LEC), procedimiento frecuentemente realizado en forma ambulatoria. El presente estudio compara la calidad de la analgesia, complicaciones y satisfacción usuaria entre dos modalidades de anestesia espinal con Levobupivacaína hipobárica en bajas dosis. Métodos: Estudio de cohorte prospectivo secuencial, con pacientes electivos sometidos a LEC unilateral bajo anestesia espinal, asignados en forma secuencial a uno de los siguientes grupos: levobupivacaína 4,5 mg + 20 ug de fentanyl, volumen total 2,5 ml con agua destilada, concentración 0,18 por ciento (Grupo 1), y levobupivacaína 2,5 mg + 20 ug de fentanyl, volumen total 2,5ml con agua destilada, concentración 0,1 por ciento (Grupo 2). Se evaluó el nivel sensitivo (tórula bañada en alcohol),bloqueo motor (escala de Bromage), alteraciones hemodinámicas (bradicardia o hipotensión), tiempo hasta la primera micción y necesidad de suplemento analgésico durante el procedimiento. Además, se evaluó el grado de confort y si repetirían la técnica anestésica. Resultados: 159 pacientes fueron sometidos a LEC entre junio de 2005 y agosto de 2007, aleatoriamente asignados: 82 al Grupo 1 y 77 al Grupo 2. El nivel sensitivo fue más alto en el Grupo 1 con un 67 por ciento de los pacientes en el nivel T4 respecto al grupo 2 con un3,9 por ciento (p < 0,001). Además, el Grupo 2 presentó un nivel sensitivo más bajo con un 88,3 por ceinto de los pacientes en el nivel T5, en comparación al Grupo 1 con 37,7 por ciento (p < 0.001). El Grupo 1 tuvo mayor incidencia de bloqueo motor, con una escala de Bromage = 1 en 20,7 por ciento de los pacientes, respecto a 3,9 por ciento en el grupo 2(p = 0,001). El Grupo 2 presenta un menor bloqueo motor con Bromage = 0 en el 96,1 por ciento de los pacientes, comparado al Grupo 1 con 74,4 por ciento (p = 0,001). Respecto a las complicaciones hemodinámicas, 11 de los pacientes del Grupo 1...

Several anesthesia techniques have been described for extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL).It is often performed as an ambulatory procedure. The aim of this study is to compare quality of analgesia, complications and patient’s satisfaction with two regional (spinal) anesthesia techniques with small doses of hypobaric Levobupivacaine. Methods: This is a sequential and prospective study in elective patients undergoing unilateral ESWL under spinal anesthesia. Patients were sequentially allocated to one of two groups: levobupivacaine 4,5 mg + 20 ug of fentanyl, total volume of 2,5 ml with distilled water,concentration 0,18 percent (Group 1), and levobupivacaine 2,5 mg + 20 ug of fentanyl, total volume of 2,5ml, concentration 0,1 percent (Group 2). We evaluated sensitive level (alcohol swab), motor block (Bromagescale), hemodynamic alterations (bradycardia and hypotension) and time until fi rst voiding and the need for further analgesic doses. Patient’s comfort and satisfaction with the technique for a new procedure was also recorded. Results: 159 patients underwent an ESWL between June 2005 and august 2007, and randomized to: Group 1, 82 and Group 2, 77. The sensitive level was higher in Group 1 with 67 percent of patients at T4 respect to Group 2, 3.9 percent (p < 0.001). Group 2 had a lower sensitive level with 88.3 percent of the patients at T5(< 0.001). Group 1 had a higher incidence of motor block: Bromage scale 1 in 20,7 percent of patients respect to3,9 percent in Group 2. Group 2 had lower motor block: Bromage scale 0 in 96,1 percent of patients compared to Group1, 74,4 percent (p = 0,001). With respect to the hemodynamic complications, 11 of the patients in Group 1 (13,4 percent)presented bradycardia, compared to 2 patients in Group 2 (2,5 percent) (p = 0,005). 6 patients in Group 1(7,3 percent)showed hypotension, 2 of those required ephedrine (10 mg). No patients in Group 2 presented hypotension (p = 0,014). There was no difference...