Stick With Intravenous or Give Subcutaneous a Shot? Time and Other Considerations When Evaluating Cancer Drug Formulations.

Time and other considerations when evaluating a switch to newer drug formulations (eg, subQ vs IV).

Which hematology/oncology patients are high priority for ambulatory clinical pharmacist review? A three-round Delphi survey by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

Introduction: Prioritization and acuity tools have been leveraged to facilitate targeted and efficient clinical pharmacist interventions. However, there is a lack of established pharmacy-specific acuity factors in the ambulatory hematology/oncology setting. Therefore, National Comprehensive Cancer Network's Pharmacy Directors Forum conducted a survey to establish consensus on acuity factors associated with hematology/oncology patients that are high priority for ambulatory clinical pharmacist review.

The role of trastuzumab in the management of salivary ductal carcinomas.

Background: Salivary ductal carcinoma (SDC) is a high-grade malignancy, and molecular studies show frequent overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). We reviewed our experience with molecular-targeted therapy using trastuzumab for patients with HER2-positive SDC.

Patients And Methods: The records of all patients treated with trastuzumab for HER2-tested SDC at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center between 1997 and 2011 were reviewed.

Prevention and management of radiation-induced dermatitis, mucositis, and xerostomia.

Purpose: Current strategies for preventing and managing radiation-induced dermatitis, mucositis, and xerostomia are reviewed, with an emphasis on pharmacologic interventions.

Summary: Nearly two thirds of all patients with cancer receive radiation therapy during the course of treatment, frequently resulting in acute skin and mucosal toxicities. The severity of radiotherapy-associated toxicities varies according to multiple treatment- and patient-related factors (e.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Unlabelled: PURPOSE The etiology, diagnosis, staging, and management of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) are reviewed, with an emphasis on clinical trials of newer approaches to first-line, second-line, and adjuvant chemotherapy.

Summary: In the past decade, more effective chemotherapy regimens have been developed for patients with MPM, a rapidly progressing disease linked to a history of asbestos exposure in about 70% of cases. Patients with MPM often require multimodal treatment with surgery, radiotherapy, and adjuvant or neoadjuvant (presurgical) chemotherapy.

Evaluation of intervention to prevent hypomagnesemia in cervical cancer patients receiving combination cisplatin and radiation treatment.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of increasing the magnesium (Mg(2+)) supplementation in the pre- and posthydration of patients receiving cisplatin plus radiation (CisXRT) to prevent chemotherapy-induced hypomagnesemia (CIH) events.

Materials And Methods: The study was conducted on newly diagnosed cervical cancer patients receiving CisXRT. The first prospective intervention to prevent CIH was to increase the pre- and posthydration Mg(2+) from 1 to 2 g.