Journal of oncology pharmacy practice : official publication of the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners
-
J Oncol Pharm Pract · Jan 2020
Multicenter StudyCharacteristics of hospitalizations among patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors at a community teaching hospital.
As immune checkpoint inhibitors continue to acquire new indications, it is important to understand the impact their use has on patients. This study adds to current literature by presenting an analysis of hospitalizations in this population. The primary objective was to assess the reasons for an emergency department visit or hospital admission in patients who receive immune checkpoint inhibitors. Secondary objectives included identifying the frequency of suspected or confirmed immune related adverse events, types of immune related adverse events, number of preventable admissions, duration of immunotherapy, and length of stay. ⋯ Reasons for admission in the study population were comparable to those identified in the general cancer population, with immune related adverse events being associated with a minority of both total and potentially preventable admissions.
-
J Oncol Pharm Pract · Jan 2020
Case ReportsSuccessful use of blinatumomab in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and severe hepatic dysfunction.
Relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia poses a significant clinical challenge due to its poor prognosis, with survival rates of less than a year, even with novel therapies. Patients frequently experience toxicities from induction chemotherapy such as hepatotoxicity, which can limit therapeutic options upon relapse. ⋯ In this report, we describe the safe and effective use of blinatumomab in an adult patient with refractory Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-) acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the setting of severe hepatic dysfunction. Blinatumomab may represent a viable option to treat relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia in patients with significant hepatic dysfunction.