Baseline basophil and basophil-to-lymphocyte status is associated with clinical outcomes in metastatic hormone sensitive prostate cancer.

Background: Biomarkers have the potential to provide clinical guidance, but there is limited data for biomarkers in metastatic hormone sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC).

Methods: We performed a retrospective multicenter review from Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University and Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence at Grady Memorial Hospital (2014-2020) in the United States of America (USA). We collected demographics, disease characteristics, and laboratory data, including complete blood counts (CBC) at the start of upfront therapy.

Evaluation of a Pharmacist-Developed, Nurse-Driven Protocol for Management of Parenteral Anticancer Therapy Infusion Reactions in an Ambulatory Infusion Center.

Purpose: Intravenous anticancer therapy can be associated with hypersensitivity- and/or infusion-related reactions (IRRs) which may result in life-threatening symptoms. As part of a quality improvement project, oncology pharmacists developed and implemented a nurse-driven, symptom-based IRR protocol. The objective of the evaluation was to evaluate IRR treatment failure after implementation of a symptom-based protocol in an ambulatory infusion center.

Clinical Outcomes and Racial Disparities in Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer in the Era of Novel Treatment Options.

Background: Docetaxel (DOC) and abiraterone (ABI) in the upfront setting have separately improved clinical outcomes for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC), but there are no studies comparing drug efficacies or the influence of racial disparities.

Materials And Methods: We performed a retrospective multicenter review from Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University and Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence at Grady Memorial Hospital (2014-2020) for patients with mHSPC treated with either upfront DOC or ABI. Outcomes evaluated were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and prostate-specific antigen complete response (PSA CR).

Retrospective study evaluating the safety of administering pegfilgrastim on the final day of 5-fluorouracil continuous intravenous infusion.

Background: Pegfilgrastim, a long-acting granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor used to prevent neutropenia, is not indicated for administration within 24 h of completion of chemotherapy. The safety of administering pegfilgrastim in gastrointestinal cancer chemotherapy regimens containing continuous intravenous infusion of 5-fluorouracil (5-FUCI) on the day of completion of 5-fluorouracil has not been adequately studied.

Methods: An institutional review board-approved retrospective analysis of patients with a gastrointestinal malignancy receiving pegfilgrastim on the final day of 5-FUCI was conducted.

Adherence to Oral Anticancer Medications After Implementation of an Ambulatory Adherence Program at a Large Urban Academic Hospital.

Purpose: Oral anticancer medications (OAMs) offer convenient administration, reducing the burden of cancer treatment, but create challenges for patients and practitioners. Using data from the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative analysis, a baseline adherence rate of 30% was identified at a large public, academic hospital. To improve OAM adherence, a quality improvement initiative was conducted.

Evaluation of Treatment-Dose Enoxaparin in Acutely Ill Morbidly Obese Patients at an Academic Medical Center: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Enoxaparin dosing recommendations for morbidly obese patients are lacking. Retrospective and observational studies reported goal anti-Xa levels with a median dose of 0.8 mg/kg using total body weight.

Assessment of Provider Adherence to Recommended Monitoring Parameters for Oral Anticancer Medications.

Introduction: Oral anticancer medications (OAMs) offer convenient administration but create new challenges with unique toxicity profiles, specific monitoring parameters and non-continuous dosing schedules. We evaluated provider compliance with US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug labeling-specified monitoring parameters for commonly dispensed OAMs at a public academic health system.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients receiving OAMs was conducted at Grady Health System between July 2015 and June 2016.

Analysis of Opioid Use Following Curative Cancer Treatment at a Large Urban Safety-net Hospital.

Objectives: This study examined the pattern of use and factors predicting prolonged prescription opioid medications among cancer patients following treatment with curative intent.

Materials And Methods: Patients diagnosed with cancer over a 3-year period at a large urban safety-net hospital were included. Univariate and multivariate analyses was used to identify factors associated with continued opioid use.

Antibiotic allergies in the medical record: effect on drug selection and assessment of validity.

Study Objectives: To determine the frequency with which reported antibiotic allergies alter drug selection and to assess the validity of these allergies.

Design: Retrospective medical record review, with concurrent interviews conducted in a selected subgroup of patients.

Setting: Tertiary care academic medical center.