The Annals of pharmacotherapy
-
To summarize and review current medical literature regarding the efficacy and safety of antithrombotic therapy for primary venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in various ambulatory cancer populations. ⋯ Use of antithrombotic agents has reduced the rate of primary VTE, with minimal increases in bleeding risk in specific ambulatory cancer populations. Further investigation is needed to guide and narrow recommendations for primary VTE prophylaxis in ambulatory cancer patients.
-
To review the characteristics and clinical trial data of crizotinib in ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). ⋯ Crizotinib is a novel targeted anticancer agent that appears to be a favorable treatment option for patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC that is ALK-positive as detected by an FDA-approved test.
-
To systematically review clinical trials evaluating anti-disialoganglioside (GD2) antibodies in treating high-risk neuroblastoma in children. ⋯ Multiple GD2-specific monoclonal antibodies have been researched over the last decade in patients diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma. One anti-GD2 antibody, ch14.18, was found to significantly improve event-free and overall survival of high-risk neuroblastoma. Therefore, the standard approach to treating high-risk neuroblastoma is likely to undergo a major shift once an anti-GD2 antibody becomes commercially available.
-
Comparative Study Controlled Clinical Trial
Prolonged infusion antibiotics for suspected gram-negative infections in the ICU: a before-after study.
ß-Lactam antibiotics demonstrate time-dependent killing. Prolonged infusion of these agents is commonly performed to optimize the time the unbound concentration of an antibiotic remains greater than the minimum inhibitory concentration and decrease costs, despite limited evidence suggesting improved clinical results. ⋯ Routine use of prolonged infusion of time-dependent antibiotics for the empiric treatment of gram-negative bacterial infections offers no advantage over intermittent infusion antibiotic therapy with regard to treatment success, mortality, or hospital length of stay. These results were confirmed after controlling for potential confounders in a multivariate analysis.
-
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of administering vancomycin as a continuous infusion. ⋯ Overall, currently available evidence is insufficient to conclude whether an improvement in vancomycin efficacy exists when it is administered as a continuous infusion. The risk of nephrotoxicity associated with continuous-infusion vancomycin requires further investigation in prospective randomized trials. Specific patient populations that would benefit from continuous-infusion vancomycin have yet to be determined.