Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
-
Support Care Cancer · Apr 2014
Changes in compliance with Japanese antiemetic guideline for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a nationwide survey using a distributed research network.
Prophylaxis of chemotherapy (CT)-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is important for patient's quality of life and adherence to CT. Neurokinin receptor antagonist (NK1 antagonist) was marketed in Japan in December 2009 and the first guideline for antiemetics for CINV was released in May 2010 from Japan Society of Clinical Oncology (JSCO). We assessed changes in compliance with the JSCO guideline during the first 18 months from the launch of NK1 antagonist in Japan. ⋯ A multi-hospital survey revealed that more than half of the HER CTs remained without accompanying the standard antiemetic therapies. Association with the compliance and CINV outcomes would be also interesting to explore.
-
Support Care Cancer · Apr 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyAprepitant triple therapy for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting following high-dose cisplatin in Chinese patients: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III trial.
Aprepitant, an oral neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist, has demonstrated improved control of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in previous studies. This is the first phase III study to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of aprepitant in patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC) in Asian countries. ⋯ The addition of aprepitant to standard antiemetic treatment regimens for Chinese patients undergoing HEC provided superior CINV prevention and was well tolerated.
-
Support Care Cancer · Apr 2014
ReviewOlanzapine for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a systematic review.
Newer drugs incorporated in prophylactic regimens for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) have resulted in significantly reduced rates of this feared complication of cytotoxic chemotherapy. However, both delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and breakthrough CINV remain difficult areas of management and require novel treatment strategies. Recent randomized trial evidence has suggested that olanzapine, an atypical antipsychotic, may have a role in both the prevention and treatment of CINV. A systematic review was conducted to assess the efficacy of olanzapine in (a) preventing CINV in highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC) and moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC) and (b) the treatment of breakthrough CINV. The toxicity of olanzapine in this setting was also reviewed. ⋯ Data from RCTs support the use of an olanzapine containing combination regimen as an option for CINV prophylaxis and single agent olanzapine for the treatment of breakthrough CINV. In the included trials, the short duration of olanzapine appears safe and well tolerated.
-
Support Care Cancer · Apr 2014
ReviewReducing potentially inappropriate medications in palliative cancer patients: evidence to support deprescribing approaches.
Cancer patients who have transitioned from curative intent chemotherapy or radiotherapy to palliative therapy have limited life expectancies. Due to this, medications for primary and secondary prevention or those with no short-term benefit are potentially inappropriate medicines in this patient group. These medications often have potentially harmful profiles, increasing the patient's adverse drug events, pill burden, and medication costs. This review evaluates the most current evidence to assess the outcomes and potential methods used for identifying and ceasing potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in palliative cancer patients. ⋯ There is evidence that PIMs are commonly prescribed in palliative care patients. There are no studies that have identified the impact of ceasing PIMS in this setting. Published tools and implemented strategies have focused on the elderly populations. Further research is warranted in establishing clear guidelines for the identification of PIMs in palliative cancer patients as well as interventional studies assessing the outcomes of ceasing PIMs in these patients.
-
Support Care Cancer · Apr 2014
Association between supportive care interventions and patient self-reported depression among advanced cancer outpatients.
Advanced cancer patients often experience moderate to severe physical and emotional distress. One of the main components of emotional distress is depression. The objective of this study was to examine the association between supportive care interventions and patient self-reported depression (PSRD) among advanced cancer outpatients. ⋯ More than 50% patients with moderate/severe PSRD significantly improved after one single supportive/palliative care consultation. Improvements of anxiety and sedation were independently associated with PSRD improvement.