Medication risks in older patients (70 +) with cancer and their association with therapy-related toxicity.

Background: To evaluate medication-related risks in older patients with cancer and their association with severe toxicity during antineoplastic therapy.

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of two prospective, single-center observational studies which included patients ≥ 70 years with cancer. The patients' medication lists were investigated regarding possible risks: polymedication (defined as the use of ≥ 5 drugs), potentially inappropriate medication (PIM), and relevant potential drug-drug interactions (rPDDI).

Drug-induced liver injury in Switzerland: an analysis of drug-related hepatic disorders in the WHO pharmacovigilance database VigiBase from 2010 to 2020.

Aims Of The Study: Our aim was to explore drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in Switzerland using the real-world data of the global pharmacovigilance database VigiBaseÔ, with a special focus on the new drug class of checkpoint inhibitors. This is the first study investigating drug-related hepatic disorders in Switzerland in a global pharmacovigilance database.

Methods: This was a retrospective study analysing the ICSRs (individual case safety reports) of the global pharmacovigilance database VigiBaseÔ.

Comparing the performance of the CARG and the CRASH score for predicting toxicity in older patients with cancer.

Objectives: To compare the CARG (Cancer and Aging Research Group) and CRASH (Chemotherapy Risk Assessment Scale for High-Age Patients) score regarding the predictive performance for severe toxicity in older patients with cancer.

Methods: We recruited patients ≥70 years and applied the CARG and CRASH score before the start of systemic cancer treatment. The CARG predicts severe overall toxicity; the CRASH additionally predicts hematologic and nonhematologic toxicity.

Supportive care of cancer patients illustrated by case examples.

Despite important medical progress, supportive care still plays a central role in cancer therapy. Severe tumour- and therapy-related symptoms not only affect the patient’s quality of life, but can also compromise the therapy outcome. Therefore, an effective supportive care is crucial in cancer therapy.

Oral supplementation with L-homoarginine in young volunteers.

Aims: Low blood concentrations of the naturally occurring amino acid L-homoarginine (L-hArg) are related to impaired cardiovascular outcome and mortality in humans and animals. L-hArg is a weak substrate of nitric oxide synthase and an inhibitor of arginases in vitro. The aim of our study was to obtain kinetic and dynamic data after oral L-hArg supplementation.