Oncology patients are at a high risk of experiencing venous thromboembolism. Historically, venous thromboembolisms in cancer patients have been managed with low-molecular-weight heparin on the basis of the CLOT trial published in 2003. However, recent prospective data provide evidence for safe and effective direct oral anticoagulant use in this population. The purpose of this review article is to evaluate the current body of literature surrounding direct oral anticoagulant use in the oncology population and to highlight key practical considerations when prescribing these agents for patients with cancer.
Purpose Paclitaxel is associated with hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs). Intravenous premedication regimens have been devised to decrease the incidence and severity of HSRs. At our institution oral histamine 1 receptor antagonists (H1RA) and histamine 2 receptor antagonists (H2RA) were adopted as standard. Standardizations were implemented for consistent premedication use in all disease states. The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the incidence and severity of HSRs before and after standardization. Methods Patients who received paclitaxel from 20 April 2018 to 8 December 2020 having an HSR were included in analysis. An infusion was flagged for review if a rescue medication was administered after the start of the paclitaxel infusion. The incidences of all HSR prior to and post-standardization were compared. A subgroup analysis of patients receiving paclitaxel for the first and second time was performed. Results There were 3499infusions in the pre-standardization group and 1159infusions in the post-standardization group. After review, 100 HSRs pre-standardization and 38 HSRs post-standardization were confirmed reactions. The rate of overall HSRs was 2.9% in the pre-standardization group and 3.3% in the post-standardization group ( p = 0.48). HSRs, during the first and second doses of paclitaxel, occurred in 10.2% of the pre-standardization and 8.5% of the post-standardization group ( p = 0.55). Conclusions This retrospective interventional study demonstrated that same-day intravenous dexamethasone, oral H1RA, and oral H2RA are safe premedication regimens for paclitaxel. No change in the severity of reactions was seen. Overall, better adherence to premedication administration was seen post-standardization.
Purpose Exemestane, a steroidal aromatase inhibitor, is an important therapeutic option in the treatment of post-menopausal hormone receptor positive breast cancer. Adverse effects include hot flashes and bone loss, but rarely is hepatotoxicity reported. We report a case of exemestane induced cholestatic liver injury following exemestane initiation. Case report A now 77-year-old Caucasian female with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), and metastatic hormone receptor positive breast cancer originally diagnosed in 2000 who developed symptoms of pruritus, diarrhea, grade 2 transaminitis, and grade 1 hyperbilirubinemia three weeks after exemestane initiation. Management and outcome: Due to the patient’s signs and symptoms, exemestane was discontinued and the patient was continued on cholestyramine until resolution of her laboratory abnormalities. Approximately a week after discontinuation, the patient was started and maintained on anastrozole without recurrence of her symptoms. Discussion Hepatotoxicity with aromatase inhibitors have rarely been reported in clinical trials and to date, instances of exemestane induced hepatotoxicity has only been reported in two case reports. The patient’s history of primary biliary cirrhosis may be an important risk factor for the development of hepatotoxicity from exemestane.
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