Adverse Effects of Busulfan Plus Cyclophosphamide versus Busulfan Plus Fludarabine as Conditioning Regimens for Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The side effects of conditioning regimens on the success rate of allogeneic transplantation around the world have been challenging. In this study, we aimed to investigate the side effect of Bu/Cy and Bu/Flu regimens on our patients who underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. METHODS: We analyzed 180 patients receiving bone marrow transplantation in Taleghani Hospital, in Tehran, Iran between April 2016 and December 2019. Patients in group A received a combination of intravenous busulfan 0.8 mg/kg QID over two hours for 4 consecutive days (12.8 mg/kg in total)(Savani et al., 2006) and cyclophosphamide 60 mg/kg per day for two consecutive days. Patients in group B received busulfan the same as the first group in combination with fludarabine equal to 40 mg/m² per day. Patients were followed up at regular intervals up to two years after transplantation. RESULT: Various items were evaluated for patients, including cardiopulmonary function, psychological disorders, GVHD, and endocrine disorders such as hypothyroidism, fertility, or gonad dysfunction.  Primary hypothyroidism developed in 13.3% and 11.1% of the Bu/Cy and Bu/Flu groups, respectively (p=0.230). None of the patients in either group experienced infertility or gonad dysfunction. In group A versus group B, pulmonary diseases were detected in  4.4% versus 6.6% of BMT recipients, respectively (p = 0.223). In both groups, mitral and tricuspid regurgitation were observed in patients (8.9% vs. 11.1%; p = 0.189). Incidence of Psychological disorders was no significant difference between the two groups. 32.2% of group A versus 34.45%  of group B had skin and liver GVHD, respectively (p = 0.235). CONCLUSION: The therapeutic-related adverse effects of the two conditioning regimens in patients who underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplant were almost similar. To improve quality of life and overall survival among BMT patients, careful evaluation of treatment-related complications should be part of the regular follow-up of them.

Alterações Dermatológicas Associadas ao Tratamento Oncológico de Mulheres com Câncer de Mama / Dermatological Alterations Associated with Oncological Treatment of Women with Breast Cancer / Alteraciones Dermatológicas Asociadas con el Tratamiento Oncológico de Mujeres con Cáncer de Mama

Introdução: Diversos efeitos colaterais podem acometer a pele e seus anexos durante o tratamento oncológico de mulheres com câncer de mama, comprometendo a terapia. Objetivo: Identificar a ocorrência de alterações dermatológicas durante o tratamento oncológico de mulheres com câncer de mama. Método: Estudo documental e retrospectivo, de cunho quantitativo, com uso de dados secundários obtidos por meio de 190 prontuários clínicos (n=190) de um serviço privado de oncologia. Resultados: As participantes apresentaram média de idade de 53 anos (±11,2), com diagnóstico histopatológico de carcinoma ductal invasivo (85,8%). Todas foram submetidas à quimioterapia, 65,3% à mastectomia radical e 34,2% à radioterapia. As alterações dermatológicas identificadas e as ocorrências verificadas na amostra foram alopecia (94,2%), hiperpigmentação (48,4%), prurido (36,3%), eritema (6,8%), descamação (25,8%) e alterações ungueais (77,9%). Ao todo, foram identificadas 550 alterações dermatológicas, resultando em uma média de 2,9 (±1,3) por paciente. A radioterapia esteve associada a uma maior ocorrência de eritema (p<0,001) e mulheres expostas a taxanos apresentaram maior probabilidade de manifestar de alterações dermatológicas do que as não expostas (p<0,001), bem como fatores sociodemográficos não estiveram associados. Conclusão: A ocorrência de alterações dermatológicas identificadas nas participantes foi significativa, reforçando que essas manifestações podem ser frequentes em mulheres com câncer de mama durante o tratamento oncológico, requerendo medidas de prevenção e tratamento.

Introduction: Several side effects can affect the skin and its attachments during cancer treatment of women with breast cancer, compromising the therapy. Objective: To identify the occurrence of dermatological changes during cancer treatment of women with breast cancer. Method:Quantitative approach, documentary and retrospective study, using secondary data obtained from 190 clinical records (n=190) from a private oncology service. Results: The participants had a mean age of 53 years (±11.2), with histopathological diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma (85.8%). All participants were exposed to chemotherapy, 65.3% to radical mastectomy and 34.2% to radiotherapy. The dermatological alterations identified, and the occurrences verified in the sample were alopecia (94.2%), hyperpigmentation (48.4%), pruritus (36.3%), erythema (6.8%), desquamation (25.8%) and nail alterations (77.9%). In all, 550 dermatological alterations were identified, resulting in an average of 2.9 (±1.3) changes per patient. Radiotherapy was associated with a higher occurrence of erythema (p<0.001) and women exposed to taxanes were more likely to manifest dermatological alterations than those unexposed (p<0.001), sociodemographic factors were not associated. Conclusion: The occurrence of dermatological alterations identified in the participants was significant, reinforcing that these manifestations may be frequent in women with breast cancer during oncological treatment, requiring prevention and treatment actions.

Introducción: Varios efectos secundarios pueden afectar la piel y sus uniones durante el tratamiento del cáncer de mujeres con cáncer de mama, comprometiendo la terapia. Objetivo: Identificar la aparición de alteraciones dermatológicas durante el tratamiento del cáncer de mujeres con cáncer de mama. Método: Estudio documental y retrospectivo, de carácter cuantitativo, utilizando datos secundarios obtenidos de 190 registros clínicos (n=190) de un servicio oncológico privado. Resultados: Los participantes tenían una edad media de 53 años (±11,2), con diagnóstico histopatológico de carcinoma ductal invasivo (85,8%). Todas fueran sometidas a quimioterapia, el 65,3% a mastectomía radical y el 34,2% a radioterapia. Las alteraciones dermatológicas identificadas y las ocurrencias verificadas en la muestra fueron alopecia (94,2%), hiperpigmentación (48,4%), prurito (36,3%), eritema (6,8%), descamación (25,8%) y alteraciones en las uñas (77,9%). En total, se identificaron 550 alteraciones dermatológicas, lo que resultó en un promedio de 2,9 (±1,3) por paciente. En total, se identificaron 550 cambios dermatológicos, lo que resultó en un promedio de 2,9 (±1,3) alteraciones por paciente. La radioterapia se asoció con una mayor incidencia de eritema (p<0,001) y las mujeres expuestas a taxanos tienen más probabilidades de manifestar alteraciones dermatológicas que las no expuestas (p<0,001), además de que no se asociaron factores sociodemográficos. Conclusión: La ocurrencia de alteraciones dermatológicas identificadas en las participantes fue significativa, reforzando que estas manifestaciones pueden ser frecuentes en mujeres con cáncer de mama durante el tratamiento oncológico, requiriendo acciones de prevención y tratamiento.

Vandetanib in advanced medullary thyroid cancer: review of adverse event management strategies.

INTRODUCTION: Vandetanib has recently demonstrated clinically meaningful benefits in patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). Given the potential for long-term vandetanib therapy in this setting, in addition to treatment for disease-related symptoms, effective management of related adverse events (AEs) is vital to ensure patient compliance and maximize clinical benefit with vandetanib therapy. METHODS: This expert meeting-based review aims to summarize published data on AEs associated with vandetanib therapy and to provide clinicians with specific practical guidance on education, monitoring, and management of toxicities induced in patients treated with vandetanib in advanced and metastatic MTC. The content of this review is based on the expert discussions from a multidisciplinary meeting held in October 2012. RESULTS: Characteristics, frequency, and risk data are outlined for a number of dermatological, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and general AEs related to vandetanib treatment. Preventive strategies, practical treatment suggestions, and points for clinical consideration are provided. CONCLUSIONS: Good patient and team communication is necessary for the prevention, early detection, and management of AEs of vandetanib. Physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers play a critical role in providing AE management and patient support to optimize outcomes with vandetanib in MTC.