The importance of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) for parenteral busulfan dosing in conditioning regimen for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in children.

Background: Series of observations indicate PK/PD variability challenging the accuracy of the body-weight based busulfan (Bu) dosing schedule for (HSCT) conditioning therapy. The purpose of this communication is to describe the frequency of dose changes in initially body-weight-based fixed IV Bu dose and to emphasize the importance of TDM.

Material And Methods: Sixty-two children (ages 2 months-18 years) were treated with IV busulfan doses based on body weight for myeloablation.

Sudden renal function deterioration in an elderly patient on vancomycin therapy for endocarditis.

Vancomycin is currently the drug of choice in meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. It is also used prophylactically in some situations in which the patient is at risk for endocarditis. It is often used in combination with other antibacterials in the treatment of endocarditis and is a potential nephrotoxin.

Topotecan vitreous and plasma levels and retinal toxicity after transcorneal intravitreal delivery in healthy albino rabbits: alternative retinoblastoma treatment.

Aim: To determine intravitreal and plasma concentrations and retinal toxicity after transcorneal intravitreal injection of 1 μg and 2 μg of topotecan (Hycamtin).

Method: Twelve healthy albino rabbits were included in this in vivo experiment. Six anesthetized albino rabbits received a single transcorneal intravitreal injection of 1 μg (group A) or 2 μg (group B) of topotecan.

Antiepleptic drug interactions: a clinical case demonstration.

Epilepsy is a serious health disorder affecting both paediatric and adult population worldwide. Due to difficulties in identifying its aetiology, initial management is often guided by empiric therapy measures. Symptomatic control requires the use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), many of which have the potential for adverse drug interactions.

Intravitreal carboplatin concentration and area under concentration versus time curve after intravitreal and periocular delivery.

Purpose: To determine platinum (Pt) concentrations and area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC) of the vitreous humor after periocular or transcorneal intravitreal administration of carboplatin in rabbits.

Methods: Eighteen albino rabbits were included in an in vivo experiment. Each animal received a single dose of either 30 mg of carboplatin by periocular injection (POI30 group: n = 6) or 15 mg by periocular injection (PI15 group: n = 6), or 0.

Cyclosporine use in miscellaneous clinical settings other than organ transplantations: is there any evidence for target levels?

Background: Cyclosporine, once a corner stone in organ transplantation for decades, its use is expanded to treat several autoimmune conditions despite lacking profound evidence for its advantages. The aim of the retrospective study was to evaluate differences in trough blood levels of cyclosporine in some clinical indications other than transplantation.

Material/methods: Blood cyclosporine trough levels determined by fluorescent polarization immunoassay (FPIA) TDx Abbott Diagnostics for TDM purpose in one year period was pooled from laboratory data-base.