Original Research
Brittany Elgersma, BS, PharmD Candidate, Dr. Sarah M. Anderson, PharmD, Dr. Christine McNamara, PharmD, Dr. Bradley Beck, PharmD, BCOP
The oncology patient population is at an elevated risk for severe infections associated with increased mortality. The early recognition of fever is critical in patients with febrile neutropenia, because a fever may be the only sign of infection.1 According to the 2010 Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines, febrile neutropenia is defined as an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of ≤500 cells/mm3, with a single oral temperature of ≥101°F or a temperature of ≥100.4°F sustained over a 1-hour period.2
Serena Chew, PharmD, BCOP, Salma Afifi, PharmD, BCOP, Michelle Nadeau Nguyen, PharmD, BCPS, Man-Yee Merl, PharmD, BCOP
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major complication of hematologic malignancies and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Patients with multiple myeloma are especially at risk for VTEs based on the underlying disease pathophysiology and the treatments used for this patient population, specifically immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs). The risk for VTE among patients ranges from 26% to 67% for those with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, and from 11% to 15% for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. The use of IMiDs further increases the risk for thromboembolic complications, particularly within the first 6 months of therapy, although this risk decreases over time.
Esra Nusseibeh, PharmD, Lynn Weber, PharmD, BCOP, Katie Won, PharmD, BCOP, Shannon Reidt, PharmD, MPH
Cisplatin is a platinum-based antineoplastic drug that is widely prescribed alone or in combination for the treatment of patients with solid-organ tumors.
Shabnam Dakwala-Sheikh, PharmD, Genevieve Moore, PharmD, Leila Mohassel, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, Casey Washington, PharmD, BCPS
Myelosuppression is a dose-limiting complication of systemic chemotherapy that can result in serious and life-threatening infections.
Mansoor Ahmed Khan, BS, MS, BCOP, Majed A. Alshamrani, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, Mohammed A. Aseeri, PharmD, BCPS, FISMP, Ahmad S. Al Saeed, MD, Hani S. Alhamdan, BS, MS, Ahlam O. Masari, MD
Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a life-threatening complication of hematologic malignancies and some solid tumors. This syndrome occurs after tumor cells break down spontaneously or after exposure to radiation or chemotherapy. Lysis of tumor cells will release intracellular contents into the bloodstream, leading to hyperuricemia, hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, and hypocalcemia.
Major Rosalynda Uy, PharmD, BCPS, Michael S. Edwards, PharmD, MBA, BCOP, FASHP, Dominic A. Solimando, Jr, MA, BCOP, FAPhA, FASHP
The use of a closed-system transfer device (CSTD) has been accepted as a standard of practice to minimize exposure to harmful materials when compounding hazardous medications. Several reports indicate that CSTDs also preserve the sterility of unpreserved (ie, single-use) medication vials for up to 1 week. Taking advantage of prolonged sterility of nonpreserved vials with an appropriate CSTD attached offers the possibility of significant cost-savings through reduced drug waste.
Nathan M. Kawamura, PharmD, BCOP, Sara Griesbach , PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, Sue Wilhelm, RPh, BCPS, Richard Mercier, MD
Nathan M. Kawamura, PharmD, BCOP, and colleagues assess the reasons for dose reductions and treatment discontinuation in patients who receive oral chemotherapy for metastatic kidney cancer.
This single-institution study led by Caroline Townley, PharmD, compares the use of the Onpro device and the manual injection of pegfilgrastim and discusses the potential implications of the findings.