Overspending driven by oversized single dose vials of cancer drugs.

call for an end to contradictory regulatory standards in the US that allow drug manufacturers to boost profits by producing single dose vials containing quantities that increase leftover drug

National survey on the effect of oncology drug shortages on cancer care.

Purpose: The results of a survey to characterize oncology drug shortages across the United States and the impact of shortages on clinical practice, patient safety, clinical trials, and health care costs are presented.

Methods: A 34-item online survey was distributed to 1672 members of the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association and other organizations to gather information on shortages of oncology drugs (i.e.

Continued challenges with the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in patients with cancer: perspectives and issues on policy-guided health care.

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are approved as an alternative to blood transfusions for treating anemia secondary to chemotherapy in patients with cancer. Recently, ESAs have been a source of controversy and confusion in the oncology community. This began when two European trials-the Breast Cancer Erythropoietin Survival Trial (BEST) and the Advanced Head-and-Neck Cancer Treated with Radiotherapy (ENHANCE) Study-raised safety concerns about decreased overall survival and increased venous thromboembolic events.

NCCN Task Force Report: Oral chemotherapy.

Oral chemotherapy is emerging as a new option for well-selected patients who can manage potentially complex oral regimens and self-monitor for potential complications. If a choice between oral and parenteral therapy is available, patients may opt for oral chemotherapy because it is more convenient to administer, allows them to avoid multiple office visits, and gives them a sense of control over their own cancer care. Whether these potential advantages are maintained in regimens that combine oral and parenteral drugs is less clear.

Extended-dosage-interval regimens of erythropoietic agents in chemotherapy-induced anemia.

Purpose: The safety and efficacy of extended-dosage-interval regimens of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) for managing chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA) are reviewed.

Summary: Anemia is a frequent complication of chemotherapy. The ESAs epoetin alfa and darbepoetin alfa have been shown to safely and effectively manage CIA; comparable outcomes have been demonstrated between epoetin alfa 40,000 units once weekly and darbepoetin alfa 200 microg every two weeks.

Bevacizumab 5 mg/kg can be infused safely over 10 minutes.

Purpose: Bevacizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets vascular endothelial growth factor. As a result of concerns for potential infusion-related hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs), initial phase I trials used a 90-, 60-, 30-minute initial infusion sequence. We sought to determine if the initial prolonged infusion was still necessary and if an infusion time of fewer than 30 minutes could be safely used.

Gemcitabine-induced peripheral edema: report on 15 cases and review of the literature.

Some degree of peripheral edema occurs in up to 20% of patients treated with gemcitabine (Gemzar). The edema is typically mild, requiring discontinuation of the drug in less than 1% of patients. Most patients require no therapy.