Disproportionality analysis of stomatitis associated with anticancer drugs using Japanese Adverse Drug Event Reporting Database.

INTRODUCTION: Anticancer drug-induced stomatitis can affect a patient's quality of life and the continuation of drug treatment. Although there have been reports of the occurrence of stomatitis associated with anticancer agents in clinical trials, few Japanese participants have been enrolled in clinical trials and have not been sufficiently investigated. In addition, there has been little attention on research on anticancer drugs associated with stomatitis by patient stratification with different carcinogenic sites. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the disproportionality associated with stomatitis for various types of anticancer drugs in different types of cancer patients using the Japan Spontaneous Adverse Event Reporting Database (JADER). METHODS: The aim of this study was to identify the disproportionality of stomatitis by analyzing the type of anticancer drug and cancer patients using the Japanese Pharmacovigilance Database. Data obtained from spontaneous reports of adverse events with more than 10 stomatitis outbreaks reported in the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database (JADER) between April 2004 and March 2023 were analyzed. The safety signal for an adverse event was defined as the lower limit of the 95% confidence interval of the reporting odds ratio of >1. RESULTS: There were 6178 reports of drugs associated with stomatitis. Among these, 41 drugs were suggested to be associated with stomatitis, and 41 drugs were detected as signals. These drugs were classified based on their efficacy: antipyrimidines (six drugs), folate metabolism antagonists (three drugs), alkylating agents (four drugs), platinum (three drugs), topoisomerase inhibitors (three drugs), microtubule inhibitors (three drugs), mTOR inhibitors (two drugs), kinase inhibitors (seven drugs), anti-growth factor antibodies (five drugs) immune checkpoint inhibitors (one drug), and others (four drugs). CONCLUSION: The drugs that may be associated with stomatitis were cell cycle-dependent drugs, epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and mTOR inhibitors. Thus, the use of JADER suggests that anti-growth factor antibodies and immune checkpoint inhibitors may be associated with stomatitis development.

Cardiac Adverse Events Associated with Multiple Myeloma Patients Treated with Proteasome Inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: Proteasome inhibitors (PIs) are standard treatments for multiple myeloma (MM). The risk of cardiac adverse events (CAEs) with PIs has been documented with bortezomib and carfilzomib; however, only a few studies have been reported on ixazomib. Furthermore, the effects of concomitant medications including dexamethasone and lenalidomide remain unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the safety signals of adverse events related to CAEs, the effect of concomitant medications, the time to the occurrence of CAEs, and the incidence of fatal clinical outcomes after the occurrence of CAEs for three PIs using the US Pharmacovigilance database. METHODS: We examined 1,567,240 cases of 231 drugs registered as anticancer drugs in the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database from January 1997 to March 2021. We compared the odds of developing CAEs between patients who received PIs and those who received non-PI anticancer drugs. RESULTS: Bortezomib treatment resulted in significantly higher reporting odds ratios (RORs) for cardiac failure, cardiac failure congestive, and atrial fibrillation. Carfilzomib treatment resulted in significantly higher RORs for cardiac failure, congestive cardiac failure, atrial fibrillation, and QT prolonged. However, no adverse event CAE signals were observed with ixazomib treatment. A signal was detected for the safety of cardiac failure with bortezomib or carfilzomib, regardless of the presence or absence of concomitant medications. Safety signals for cardiac failure congestive with bortezomib and for cardiac failure congestive, atrial fibrillation, and QT prolonged with carfilzomib were observed only with dexamethasone combination therapy. Co-administration of lenalidomide and its derivatives did not affect the safety of bortezomib and carfilzomib. CONCLUSION: We identified CAE safety signals for bortezomib and carfilzomib exposure when compared with 231 other anticancer agents. The safety signal for developing cardiac failure for both the drugs did not differ between patients with and without concomitantly administered medications.

Evaluation of Time to Onset and Outcome of Cardiac Adverse Events Associated with Nilotinib using Post-Marketing Surveillance.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac adverse events (CAEs) have become a concern as serious adverse events (AEs) of nilotinib administration. No reports have described the incidence of CAEs associated with nilotinib in Japanese patients. Thus, we conducted this study to evaluate the risk of nilotinib-induced CAEs, time to onset, incidence rates, and post hoc outcomes using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database. METHODS: We analysed data for the period between April 2004 and March 2022. Data on CAEs were extracted, and relative risk of AEs was estimated using the reporting odds ratio. RESULTS: We analysed 2,021,907 reports and identified 3,545 reports of AEs caused by nilotinib. Of these, 511 reports involved CAEs. Signals were detected for 19 CAEs. Of these, electrocardiogram QT prolonged was the most frequently reported (30.9%). Fatal outcomes were observed in eight AEs: cardiac failure, atrial fibrillation, acute myocardial infarction, pericardial effusion, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, pericarditis, and cardiac tamponade. Of these, acute myocardial infarction, myocardial infarction, pericarditis, and cardiac tamponade exhibited mortality rates >10%. A histogram of median times to onset showed nilotinib-associated AEs occurring 3-485 days after nilotinib administration. CONCLUSION: We focused on CAEs caused by nilotinib as post-marketing AEs. Some cases resulted in serious outcomes. Patients should be monitored for signs of onset of these AEs not only at the start of administration but for a long period of time.

Evaluation of Time to Onset and Outcome of Lung Adverse Events Related to Pembrolizumab Using Marketing Surveillance.

BACKGROUND: Pembrolizumab has been widely used in patients since its release, but detailed information on lung-specific adverse events (AEs) from post-marketing monitoring has not been reported. OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to determine the risk of pembrolizumab-induced lung AEs, time to onset, and post hoc outcomes using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database. METHOD: We analyzed data for the period between April 2004 and March 2022. Data on lung AEs were extracted and the relative risks of AEs were estimated using reporting odds ratios. RESULTS: We analyzed 2,021,907 reports and identified 15,306 reports of AEs caused by pembrolizumab, including 3,004 lung AEs. Signals were detected for 14 lung AEs. Interstitial lung disease was the most frequently reported (62.3%) and included fatal cases. A histogram of median time to onset showed occurrence ranging from 2 to 73 days, but some cases of interstitial lung disease occurred after 2 years of administration. The AEs showing the highest fatality rates were interstitial lung disease, respiratory failure, and pneumonia aspiration. CONCLUSIONS: This study focused on lung AEs caused by pembrolizumab as post-marketing AEs. Some cases could potentially involve serious outcomes, so patients should be monitored for signs of AE onset not only at the start of administration but also over an extended period, especially for interstitial lung disease.

Evaluation of Cardiac Adverse Events with Ponatinib Using a Spontaneous Reporting Database.

INTRODUCTION: The efficacy of ponatinib was demonstrated in patients resistant or intolerant to prior BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors. However, cardiac adverse events (CAEs) have become a concern as a serious side effect of ponatinib administration. No reports have described the incidence of CAEs associated with ponatinib in Japanese patients. Thus, this study aimed to determine the risk of ponatinib-induced CAEs, time to onset, and post hoc outcomes using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database. METHODS: We analyzed data for the period between April 2004 and March 2021. Data on CAEs were extracted, and relative risk of AEs was estimated using the reporting odds ratio. RESULTS: We analyzed 1,772,494 reports and identified 1,152 reports of AEs caused by ponatinib. Of these, 163 CAEs were reportedly associated with ponatinib. Signals were detected for thirteen CAEs: hypertension, cardiac failure, acute cardiac failure, atrial fibrillation, increased blood pressure, coronary artery stenosis, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, pulmonary hypertension, prolonged QT on electrocardiography, cardiomyopathy, cardiac dysfunction, and acute myocardial infarction. Among these, hypertension was the most frequently reported AE (27.6%). A histogram of times to onset showed occurrence from 4.5 to 150.5 days. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Hypertension, cardiac failure, coronary artery stenosis, and myocardial infarction could potentially result in serious outcomes and some cases occurred earlier or even more than 1 year after starting administration. Patients should be monitored for signs of the onset of these AEs not only at the start of ponatinib administration but also over the longer term.

Adverse Event Profile of Azacitidine: Analysis by Route of Administration Using Japanese Pharmacovigilance Database.

INTRODUCTION: Azacitidine is a useful drug for myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia. In clinical trials, hematologic toxicity and infection have been observed as adverse events (AEs) of this drug. However, information on the time to onset of high risk AEs and subsequent outcomes, as well as differences in the frequency of AEs due to the route of administration is lacking. In this study, we investigated azacitidine-induced AEs comprehensively using the Japanese Adverse Event Reporting Database (JADER) published by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, with disproportionate analysis of AE incidence trends, time to onset, and subsequent outcomes. In addition, we analyzed the differences in AEs by route of administration and the number of days until the occurrence of AEs and generated hypotheses. METHODS: The study used JADER data reported from April 2004 to June 2022. Risk estimation was conducted using reported odds ratio. A signal was detected when the lower limit of the 95% confidence interval of the calculated ROR was ≥1. RESULTS: A total of 34 signals were detected as AEs due to azacitidine. Among them, 15 were hematologic toxicities and 10 were infections, which demonstrated a particularly high rate of death. Signals of AEs such as tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) and cardiac failure, which have been described in case reports, were also detected, and the rate of death after onset was high. In addition, more AEs generally occurred within the first month of treatment. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that more attention should be paid to cardiac failure, hematologic toxicity, infection, and TLS. Because many patients in clinical trials have discontinued treatment due to serious AEs before the therapeutic effect became apparent, appropriate supportive care, dose reduction, and drug withdrawal are important for the continuation of treatment.

Ameliorating effects of cystine and theanine in a cancer cachexia mouse model.

Cachexia is a common cancer complication and is associated with weight loss and anorexia. In this study, we investigated the ameliorating effects of cystine and theanine on cancer cachexia using a mouse model. In mice carrying the colon cancer cell line C-26, there was a suppression of body weight increase and reduction in both internal fat and lower limb muscles. Repeated cystine and theanine administration significantly prevented weight loss, internal fat loss, lower limb muscle loss, and serum IL-6 increase in the cachexia model. These results suggested that cystine and theanine may be effective in ameliorating cancer cachexia.

Comprehensive Analysis of Ixazomib-Induced Adverse Events Using the Japanese Pharmacovigilance Database.

BACKGROUND: Ixazomib is an orally available proteasome inhibitor for multiple myeloma with adverse effects such as gastrointestinal symptoms, skin rashes, and thrombocytopenia reported in clinical trials and post-marketing surveillance, resulting in treatment discontinuation. However, comprehensive adverse event (AE) assessments for ixazomib are lacking. OBJECTIVES: Herein, we aimed to determine the frequency and risk of AEs associated with ixazomib in Japanese patients using the Japanese Adverse Event Reporting Database (JADER). Additionally, the time to onset and post hoc outcomes of unique AEs were clarified. METHODS: To investigate the association between ixazomib and AEs, we analyzed the JADER database, comprising voluntary AE reports submitted to the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, between April 2004 and June 2021. AEs with ≥10 reports were included in the analysis, and criteria for the presence of AE signals were defined as meeting the requirements of proportional report ratio ≥2 and χ2 ≥ 4. Characteristic AEs were analyzed considering time to onset and onset outcomes. RESULTS: Of 34 extracted AEs, 18 presented AE signals. The 12 post hoc outcomes with fatality rates ≥10% included septic shock (50.0%), infection (41.2%), heart failure (16.7%), pneumonia (14.2%), and tumor necrosis syndrome (13.3%). A median of the time to onset showed that 11 of the 18 AEs occurred from ixazomib initiation to approximately 1 month later. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that ixazomib may increase the incidence of 18 AEs, 11 of which occurred within the first month of treatment. Furthermore, 8 AEs were found to have potentially fatal outcomes at a rate of ≥10%. Therefore, monitoring AEs during the first month of treatment appears necessary.

Evaluation of Cardiac Adverse Events Associated with Carfilzomib Using a Japanese Real-World Database.

BACKGROUND: Carfilzomib is a proteasome inhibitor widely used for the treatment of multiple myeloma. However, cardiac adverse events (CAEs) are a serious side effect of carfilzomib administration. Observational studies based on systematic reviews and real-world data have revealed that the risk of CAEs tends to be high. However, there have been no reports on the incidence of CAEs associated with carfilzomib in Japanese patients. Furthermore, there have been no reports on the timing and post-event outcomes of CAEs. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to identify the trends in carfilzomib-associated adverse events, the time to onset of CAEs, and the clinical outcomes after the occurrence of CAEs using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database. METHOD: We analyzed data from the JADER database, which contains reports of spontaneous adverse events submitted to the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Agency, between April 2004 and December 2020. The relative risk of adverse events was estimated using the reporting odds ratio. The time to onset and post-event outcomes were evaluated for adverse cardiotoxic events with >10 reports. RESULTS: The reporting rate was significantly higher for all 6 detected CAEs. A time-to-onset histogram of the 6 CAEs showed that they all occurred early after carfilzomib administration. The median time of onset of heart failure, congestive heart failure, and acute heart failure was approximately 2 weeks after treatment. The adverse events with the largest proportion of fatal clinical outcomes were acute heart failure (26%) and heart failure (9.5%). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the early signs and symptoms of potential fatal heart failure should be monitored during carfilzomib treatment.

Comprehensive Analysis of Bortezomib-Induced Adverse Events Using the Japanese Real-World Database.

BACKGROUND: Bortezomib is used as first-line therapy for multiple myeloma. Observational studies based on the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database analysis and systematic reviews indicate that the incidence of peripheral neuropathy (PN) and tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) tends to be higher with bortezomib than that of other drugs. In a comprehensive analysis assessing drugs that cause PN in Japanese patients, the incidence of bortezomib-induced adverse events (AEs) was reportedly high. However, a comprehensive assessment of bortezomib is lacking. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of bortezomib AEs in Japanese patients and to determine the incidence, time to onset, and post hoc outcomes of unique AEs using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database. METHOD: To investigate the association between bortezomib and AEs, we analyzed the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database, which contains spontaneous AE reports submitted to the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency from April 2004 to December 2020. Criteria indicating the presence of an AE signal were met when the following requirements were fulfilled: proportional reporting ratios ≥2 and χ2 ≥ 4. Time to onset and post-event outcomes were analyzed for characteristic AEs. RESULTS: Among 26 extracted AEs, 13 presented AE signals. The post-exposure outcomes of 12 AEs showed fatal outcomes at rates exceeding 10%, including cardiac failure (30%), lung disorder (24%), pneumonia (18%), and TLS (10%). Furthermore, a histogram of time to onset revealed that the 12 AEs were concentrated from the beginning to approximately 1 month after bortezomib administration. The median onset times for cardiac failure, lung disorder, pneumonia, and TLS were 28, 13, 42, and 5 days, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac failure, lung disorder, pneumonia, and TLS had a higher rate of fatal clinical outcomes after onset than other AEs. These AEs exhibited a greater onset tendency in the early post-dose period. This study suggests that there is a need to monitor signs of cardiac failure, lung disorder, pneumonia, and TLS, potentially resulting in serious outcomes.

Risk factors for opioid-induced constipation in cancer patients: a single-institution, retrospective analysis.

PURPOSE: To identify risk factors for opioid-induced constipation (OIC). METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed 175 advanced cancer patients who were receiving pain treatment with opioids and were newly prescribed laxatives for OIC at Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital between November 2016 and June 2021. For the regression analysis of factors associated with OIC, variables were extracted manually from clinical records. The effect of newly prescribed laxatives for OIC was evaluated as "effective" in cases where the number of spontaneous bowel movements increased at least once in the first 3 days. The OIC was defined based on Rome IV diagnostic criteria. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for OIC. Optimal cutoff thresholds were determined using receiver operating characteristic analysis. Values of P < 0.05 (two-tailed) were considered significant. RESULTS: Significant factors identified included body mass index (BMI) (odds ratio [OR] = 0.141, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.027-0.733; P = 0.020), chemotherapy with taxane within 1 month of evaluation of laxative effect (OR = 0.255, 95% CI = 0.068-0.958; P = 0.043), use of naldemedine (OR = 2.791, 95% CI = 1.220-6.385; P = 0.015), and addition or switching due to insufficient prior laxatives (OR = 0.339, 95% CI = 0.143-0.800; P = 0.014). CONCLUSION: High BMI, chemotherapy including a taxane within 1 month of evaluation of laxative effect, no use of naldemedine, and addition or switching due to insufficient prior laxatives were identified as risk factors for OIC in advanced cancer patients with cancer pain.

Evaluation of a Webinar for Pharmacists Learning Basic Clinical-Oncology during COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan.

It is essential for oncology pharmacists to update their knowledge, skills, and ethical attitudes. The Japanese Society of Pharmaceutical Oncology is an academic society for healthcare professionals involved in cancer treatment. It has conducted in-person seminars every year to cultivate the knowledge necessary for practicing advanced cancer medicine. Owing to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the society was obligated to conduct a web-based seminar this year. A questionnaire survey was conducted before and after the webinar to explain how it works and to assess the learning attitudes of beginner and moderately skilled pharmacists in the field of oncology. Questionnaire surveys were conducted with the participants before and after watching the webinar. The questionnaires sought to determine participants' perspectives on the webinar and their knowledge of the seven modules. Of the 1756 webinar attendees, 1661 (94.6%) answered the pre-webinar survey and 1586 (90.3%) answered the post-webinar survey. Results indicate that the median post-webinar knowledge score was significantly higher than the median pre-webinar score (p < 0.001) in all modules. Principal component analysis of the degree of knowledge of seven modules revealed that the improved score group consisted of those from younger age groups, with less experience as pharmacists, non-society members, and those with less experience in past society seminars. Moreover, the web-based seminar provided a uniform learning effect throughout the country without distinguishing between urban and rural learners. The web-based educational program was an acceptable educational tool for Japanese oncology pharmacists.

Adverse event profiles of drugs used for treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis according to spontaneous reporting system database.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a systemic inflammatory disease of childhood onset. The purpose of this study was to clarify the frequency of adverse events caused by drugs used in JIA treatment and characterize their safety profiles using a spontaneous reporting system database. We performed a retrospective pharmacovigilance disproportionality analysis using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database. Adverse event reports on drugs used for the treatment of JIA and which were submitted to the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency were analyzed, and the reporting odds ratio (ROR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for reports on each adverse event were calculated. A total of 5,748 reports were identified in the treatment of JIA, in which 35 different drugs were involved. Adverse events by drugs in JIA were frequently reported in females (64.3%) and in those younger than 10 (61.2%). Among the most frequently reported drugs, prednisolone (36.8%) and tocilizumab (36.0%) were predominant. Prednisolone was significantly correlated with hematophagic histiocytosis (ROR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.18 - 1.61). Tocilizumab was associated with a high ROR for pneumonia (ROR, 8.61: 95% CI, 5.81 - 12.7), a decreased neutrophil count (ROR, 6.1; 95% CI, 4.07 - 9.16), and lymphadenitis (ROR, 8.34; 95% CI, 4.2 - 16.6). Our results revealed the safety profile of drugs for the treatment of JIA patients. It was suggested that there is a diversity in drugs and their strength of association with adverse events in JIA patients. Our results may provide useful information for the treatment of JIA patients, although further research with more data is needed.

Comprehensive analysis of everolimus-induced adverse events using the Japanese real-world database.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVES: As for adverse events (AEs) caused by everolimus, findings from clinical trials and post-marketing surveillance have reported interstitial lung disease, hyperglycaemia, cardiovascular disease, etc. However, these reports are limited to incidence, and detailed studies on the risk of occurrence, time to onset and post-event clinical outcomes are only related to hyperglycaemia. The purpose of this study was to perform a comprehensive analysis of adverse events during everolimus therapy in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) using the Japanese Adverse Event Report database. METHODS: Data reported between April 2004 and June 2021 in the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database were extracted for use. The reported odds ratio, time to onset and post-event course were analysed for the top 30 adverse events reported. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Among the top 30 adverse events, 23 adverse event signals were detected and classified into seven categories: lung-related AEs, haematological-related AEs, cancer progression, blood glucose-related AEs, hepatic-related AEs, renal-related AEs and others. The lung-related adverse events category was the most common, and the proportion of fatal outcomes after the occurrence of two adverse events related to infectious pneumonia was more than 10%. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: A comprehensive survey of adverse events associated with everolimus administration using the pharmacovigilance database revealed that pulmonary and haematological AEs are frequently reported. The results suggest that attention should be paid to the occurrence of lung disorders because they may lead to fatal outcomes.

Omeprazole Suppresses Oxaliplatin-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in a Rodent Model and Clinical Database.

(1) Background: Oxaliplatin is used as first-line chemotherapy not only for colorectal cancer but also for gastric and pancreatic cancers. However, it induces peripheral neuropathy with high frequency as an adverse event, and there is no effective preventive or therapeutic method. (2) Methods: The effects of omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), on oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN) was investigated using an in vivo model and a real-world database. (3) Results: In a rat model, oxaliplatin (4 mg/kg, i.p., twice a week for 4 weeks) caused mechanical hypersensitivity accompanied by sciatic nerve axonal degeneration and myelin sheath disorder. Repeated injection of omeprazole (5−20 mg/kg, i.p., five times per week for 4 weeks) ameliorated these behavioral and pathological abnormalities. Moreover, omeprazole did not affect the tumor growth inhibition of oxaliplatin in tumor bearing mice. Furthermore, clinical database analysis of the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) suggests that the group using omeprazole has a lower reporting rate of peripheral neuropathy of oxaliplatin-treated patients than the group not using (3.06% vs. 6.48%, p < 0.001, reporting odds ratio 0.44, 95% confidence interval 0.32−0.61). (4) Conclusions: These results show the preventing effect of omeprazole on OIPN.

Analgesic Effects of Sokeikakketsuto on Chemotherapy-Induced Mechanical Allodynia and Cold Hyperalgesia in Rats.

The anticancer agents including oxaliplatin, paclitaxel, and bortezomib cause severe peripheral neuropathy. The Kampo medicine Sokeikakketsuto (SOKT) has been widely used to treat several types of pain. In this study, the analgesic effects of SOKT on oxaliplatin-, paclitaxel-, and bortezomib-induced peripheral neuropathy were investigated in rat models. Rats were treated with oxaliplatin (4 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.), twice a week for four weeks), paclitaxel (4 mg/kg, i.p., twice a week for two weeks), or bortezomib (0.2 mg/kg, i.p., twice a week for two weeks). SOKT (0.3 or 1.0 g/kg) or duloxetine hydrochloride (30 mg/kg, as a positive control) was administered orally after neuropathy developed. Mechanical allodynia and cold hyperalgesia were assessed using the von Frey test and the acetone test, respectively. These tests were performed immediately before and 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after the administration of the drugs. Repeated treatment of oxaliplatin induced mechanical allodynia and cold hyperalgesia. A single administration of SOKT (1 g/kg, per os (p.o.)), as well as duloxetine, temporarily reversed both the mechanical allodynia and the cold hyperalgesia. Repeated administration of paclitaxel and bortezomib also induced the mechanical allodynia. SOKT and duloxetine reversed the mechanical allodynia caused by bortezomib, but not by paclitaxel. SOKT might have the potential to become a new drug to relieve the symptom of oxaliplatin- or bortezomib-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Pharmacovigilance Evaluation of Bendamustine-related Skin Disorders using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report Database.

PURPOSE: Bendamustine is used in hematologic malignancies such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and multiple myeloma. This study evaluated the association of bendamustine-related skin disorders using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database. METHODS: We identified and analyzed reports of skin disorders between April 2004 and November 2019 from the JADER database and calculated the reported odds ratios (RORs) using disproportionality analysis. Additionally, we analyzed the relationship between skin disorders related to bendamustine use and patient information (age and sex). RESULTS: The symptoms, ranked in order of decreasing strength of association with skin disorders, were infusion-related reaction (ROR=5.708), herpes zoster (ROR=4.658), hypersensitivity (ROR=3.271), and rash (ROR=1.472). Additionally, analysis of the relationships between rash related to bendamustine and sex or age showed significant relationships for female sex and age younger than 70 years (ROR=2.247 and 2.176, respectively). Meanwhile, analysis of the relationship between herpes zoster and sex showed a significantly stronger association for male than female sex (ROR=2.887). CONCLUSION: Our analysis of skin disorders related to bendamustine use reported in the spontaneous reporting system databases showed that the association of rash with bendamustine use was affected by sex (female) and age (younger than 70 years). Additionally, the association of herpes zoster with bendamustine was affected by sex (male). Bendamustine is an outpatient chemotherapy regimen, and so we recommend close monitoring of female patients or those younger than 70 years who experience rash-like symptoms and male patients who experience herpes zoster-like symptoms.

Analysis of Secondary Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome After Chemotherapy for Solid Organ Tumors Using the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).

PURPOSE: As the prognosis of cancer patients deteriorates, secondary carcinogenesis after chemotherapy, especially secondary hematological malignancies, becomes a serious problem. However, information on the frequency and time of onset of secondary hematological malignancies and the risk of hematological malignancy with different drugs is scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome in patients with solid tumors, including breast, colon, gastric, pancreatic, small cell lung, non-small cell lung, esophageal, ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers. METHODS: Using the United States Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System, we analyzed the reporting rates, reporting odds ratios, and the reporting onset times of secondary leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome for each drug used. RESULTS: The leukemia reporting rates were higher in breast, small cell lung, ovarian, and endometrial cancers than in other cancers, and the myelodysplastic syndrome reporting rates were higher in ovarian and endometrial cancers than in other cancers. For each cancer type, the reporting odds ratios of cytocidal anticancer agents, such as taxanes, anthracyclines, alkylating agents, platinum, and topoisomerase inhibitors, were higher than those of other drugs. Alternatively, the reporting odds ratios of molecular targeted drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors were not higher than those of other drugs. Approximately half of the cases of leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome were reported within 1 to 4 years after chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Our study clarified the risks of leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome for several anticancer drugs in patients with solid tumors. Our data may aid in the assessment of the risks of secondary leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome when medical oncologists, clinical pharmacists, and patients select chemotherapy regimens.

Evaluation of a web-based educational programme for pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Continuing education is essential for pharmacists to acquire and maintain the knowledge, skills, and ethical attitudes necessary for clinical practice. However, with the emergence of COVID-19, the social circumstances and face-to-face learning environments have changed. The objectives of this study were to determine Japanese pharmacists' perception of a web-based educational programme in oncology, and assess changes in their understanding of pharmaceutical care in oncology before and after their participation in the webinar. METHODS: Questionnaire-based surveys were conducted for the participants of the web-based educational programme to determine their perspectives on the webinar, and their degree of comprehension of the five cancer types covered before and after watching the webinar. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Of the 1936 pharmacists taking the programme, all participated in the pre-webinar survey, and 1861 (96.1%) in the post-webinar survey. Compared with previous seminars that were held in the offline mode before the COVID-19 pandemic, 76.8% of respondents were significantly satisfied with the web-based educational programme. The median post-webinar comprehension scores in all modules were significantly higher than the median pre-webinar scores (p < 0.0001). A majority of the participants agreed that a web-based educational programme was satisfactory in acquiring knowledge. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: This web-based educational programme was effective for Japanese pharmacists for postgraduate education in pharmaceutical care in oncology. To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first to report the effectiveness of a web-based educational programme for oncology pharmacists using a large population.

Therapeutic Agents for Oxaliplatin-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy; Experimental and Clinical Evidence.

Oxaliplatin is an essential drug in the chemotherapy of colorectal, gastric, and pancreatic cancers, but it frequently causes peripheral neuropathy as a dose-limiting factor. So far, animal models of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy have been established. The mechanisms of development of neuropathy induced by oxaliplatin have been elucidated, and many drugs and agents have been proven to have neuroprotective effects in basic studies. In addition, some of these drugs have been validated in clinical studies for their inhibitory effects on neuropathy. In this review, we summarize the basic and clinical evidence for the therapeutic effects of oxaliplatin. In basic research, there are many reports of neuropathy inhibitors that target oxidative stress, inflammatory response, sodium channel, transient receptor potential (TRP) channel, glutamate nervous system, and monoamine nervous system. Alternatively, very few drugs have clearly demonstrated the efficacy for oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy in clinical trials. It is important to activate translational research in order to translate basic research into clinical research.