Study on the Optimal Dose of Irinotecan for Patients with Heterozygous Uridine Diphosphate-Glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1).

Uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT), a metabolic enzyme of irinotecan active metabolite, has two genetic polymorphisms (UGT1A1*6 and UGT1A1*28). In UGT1A1 homozygous or heterozygous patients, metabolism is delayed and the risk of developing adverse effects is increased, and therefore, dose reduction of irinotecan is considered. However, the specific dose reduction rate of irinotecan for heterozygous patients is uncertain.

[Patient-Reported Outcome(PRO)to Measure Health-Related QOL in Lung Cancer Patients].

Lung cancer as progressive disease is often associated with a poor quality of life(QOL)which is related to a poor prognosis. We review the impact of patient-reported outcome(PRO)as an indicator of health-related QOL on the management of lung cancer patients. Cancer-specific PRO measures, which are primarily applied in scientific research for the past 30 years to compare the therapy outcomes and in drug development with adverse events.

Kamishoyosan and Shakuyakukanzoto promote recovery from paclitaxel-induced neurite retraction in PC12 cells.

Background: In chemotherapy, the full round of treatment must be completed as scheduled to achieve the strongest therapeutic effect. However, peripheral neuropathy, a severe side effect of the chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel, can force the premature discontinuation of treatment. As some kampo practitioners have suggested that it may be possible to counteract such side effects, we analyzed the effects of Kamishoyosan, Shakuyakukanzoto, and Goshajinkigan in an in vitro model of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Pemetrexed-Induced Rash May Be Prevented by Supplementary Corticosteroids.

Pemetrexed, a chemotherapeutic drug, is highly active in non-small cell lung cancer and malignant pleural mesothelioma. Unfortunately, rashes are more commonly associated with pemetrexed than other chemotherapies, and it is recommended that patients receive corticosteroids (8 mg/d of dexamethasone) for 3 d, including the day of pemetrexed administration (day 1). However, the efficacy of corticosteroids in this context has not been fully verified.