scholarly journals Administration and Toxicity Profile of the Capizzi Interim Maintenance—Retrospective Study from a Tertiary Care Cancer Centre

Author(s):  
Aarthi Viswanathan ◽  
Arun Kumar ◽  
Prakruthi S. Kaushik ◽  
Avinash Thumallapalli ◽  
C Ramachandra ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction The Capizzi-style methotrexate (MTX) is an integral part of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment. The escalating dose of MTX originally used in the United Kingdom and Children’s Oncology Group protocols along with L-asparaginase has been modified in the Indian Childhood Collaborative Leukemia (ICiCLe) group protocol where L-asparaginase has been omitted. The data regarding the incidence of toxicities and ease of administration on the Capizzi-style interim maintenance is not robust. Objectives We have compiled our experience with administration and toxicity profile in children with intermediate-risk ALL. Materials and Methods A retrospective data collection of all children diagnosed with intermediate-risk ALL as per the ICiCLe risk stratification in the year 2019 was included in the analysis. Each cycle of MTX was started after ensuring an absolute neutrophil count of >750/mm3 and transaminases <2 upper limit of normal. As a unit protocol, pre- and post-MTX hydration was administered in all our children. No urine pH or midcycle biochemical parameter monitoring was done. Statistical analysis was done using Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 24 IBM Corp. in Armonk, New York, United States. Results Forty-six children were included in the study. The median age of children in our study was 6 years (range: 1 year 2 months–12 years). Undernutrition was associated with a significant increase in toxicity (p = 0.02). Fifty-two percent of children had evidence of toxicity, elevated transaminases being the most common. There were recurring symptoms resulting in 53 episodes of toxicities overall. Incidence of toxicity was more in the early cycles (<3). Conclusion The pre- and post-MTX hydration is an effective way to reduce toxicities with the Capizzi-style MTX and this course can be administered with ease on outpatient basis with minimal need for monitoring or admission.

JMS SKIMS ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Faisal R Guru ◽  
Nisar Ahmad Syed ◽  
Shumail Bashir ◽  
Sanudev Sadanandan Vp ◽  
Hashim Kunju Ismail ◽  
...  

Background The complete cytogenetic and immunophenotyping data in children suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in Jammu and Kashmir is scarce. To bridge this knowledge gap the present study proposes to evaluate the immunophenotype and cytogenetic profile of pediatric ALL patients treated in our hospital. Material and methods This hospital-based observational study was conducted on 180 pediatric patients aged between 1  to 18 years who had visited the Paediatric unit of the  Department of Medical Oncology at Sher-I -Kashmir Institute of Medical Science, Srinagar ,Jammu and Kashmir between the January 2015 to December 2019. Result Among the study participants, 57.8% were male and 42.2% were female with a mean age of 9.24 years and median of 8 Years. Among the participants, 57.2% were below 10 years of age and 42.8% were above 10years of age. CNS disease was reported in 7.8%  of the study participants.  63.3% patients  had a TLC count of less than 20000. Immunophenotyping data revealed pre-B ALL in 77.8% of children. Cytogenetic study was conducted on 153 patients among them 74.4% had a normal karyotype, 7.2% s had hyperdiploidy and 3.3% had hypodiploidy. The FISH analysis showed that 23.3% of study participants were positive for the TEL-AML study, 11.1% were positive for BCR-ABL analysis and 4.4% of participants were positive for MLL gene analysis. The overall survival in the study population was 78.9% among the study participants. Only the MLL gene rearrangement analysis showed a statistically significant correlation with the survival analysis (P<0.5). Conclusion In summary, the present study reported the complete cytogenetic and immunophenotyping profile of the children suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Jammu and Kashmir.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. e000068
Author(s):  
Sonia Hur ◽  
Michael Tzeng ◽  
Eliza Cricco-Lizza ◽  
Spyridon Basourakos ◽  
Miko Yu ◽  
...  

ObjectivesPartial gland ablation (PGA) therapy is an emerging treatment modality that targets specific areas of biopsy-proven prostate cancer (PCa) to minimize treatment-related morbidity by sparing benign prostate. This qualitative study aims to explore and characterize perceptions and attitudes toward PGA in men with very-low-risk, low-risk, and favorable intermediate-risk PCa on active surveillance (AS).Design92 men diagnosed with very-low-risk, low-risk, and favorable intermediate-risk PCa on AS were invited to participate in semistructured telephone interviews on PGA.SettingSingle tertiary care center located in New York City.Participants20 men with very-low-risk, low-risk, and favorable intermediate-risk PCa on AS participated in the interviews.Main outcome measuresEmerging themes on perceptions and attitudes toward PGA were developed from transcripts inductively coded and analyzed under standardized methodology.ResultsFour themes were derived from 20 interviews that represent the primary considerations in treatment decision-making: (1) the feeling of psychological safety associated with low-risk disease; (2) preference for minimally invasive treatments; (3) the central role of the physician; (4) and the pursuit of treatment options that align with disease severity. Eleven men (55%) expressed interest in pursuing PGA only if their cancer were to progress, while nine men (45%) expressed interest at the current moment.ConclusionsAlthough an emerging treatment modality, patients were broadly accepting of PGA for PCa, with men primarily debating the risks versus benefits of proactively treating low-risk disease. Additional research on men’s preferences and attitudes toward PGA will further guide counseling and shared decision-making for PGA.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (03) ◽  
pp. e281-e287
Author(s):  
Sangeeta Kumaraswami ◽  
Tana S. Pradhan ◽  
Sorana Vrabie-Wolf ◽  
Sadaf Lodhi ◽  
Geetha P. Rajendran ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective To describe our experiences in preparing our obstetric unit in Westchester County, New York, during the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease of 2019) pandemic. We focus on describing our timeline, continuously evolving actions, observations, and challenges. Methods With guidance from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), our institutional epidemiologist, and key multidisciplinary faculty members, we evaluated emerging national data as well as expert opinions to identify issues and challenges to create action plans. Results We created and modified policies for our patients presenting for obstetrical care on the labor and delivery unit to accommodate their unique needs during this pandemic. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has posed many unique challenges. Balancing communication, risks of infection to providers, patient autonomy and rights, and resources for testing and personal protective equipment were among the valuable lessons learnt. We have shared our experiences and described our observations and challenges in Westchester County, New York.


2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (27) ◽  
pp. 6489-6498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shunji Igarashi ◽  
Atsushi Manabe ◽  
Akira Ohara ◽  
Masaaki Kumagai ◽  
Tomohiro Saito ◽  
...  

Purpose To evaluate whether dexamethasone (DEXA) yields a better outcome than prednisolone (PRED) in a prospective, randomized, controlled trial for the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Patients and Methods Two hundred thirty-one standard-risk (SR) patients and 128 intermediate-risk (IR) non–B-cell ALL patients were registered from March 1995 to March 1999. After random assignment in each group, the PRED arm patients received PRED 60 mg/m2 during induction followed by PRED 40 mg/m2 over four intensifications in the SR group and three intensifications in the IR group. DEXA arm patients received DEXA 8 mg/m2 during induction and DEXA 6 mg/m2 during the intensifications. The maintenance phase was continued until week 104. Results Event-free survival rates at 8 years in the DEXA and PRED arms were 81.1% ± 3.9% (n = 117) and 84.4% ± 5.2% (n = 114), respectively, in the SR group (P = .217) and 84.9% ± 4.6% (n = 62) and 80.4% ± 5.1% (n = 66), respectively, in the IR group (P = .625). The primary reason for treatment failure was marrow relapse. Only two extramedullary relapses occurred in the DEXA arm compared with seven relapses in the PRED arm. Although complications were more prevalent in the DEXA arm than in the PRED arm, fatal toxicity was rare both groups. Conclusion DEXA administered at 8 mg/m2 during induction and 6 mg/m2 during intensification showed no advantage over PRED administered at 60 mg/m2 during induction and 40 mg/m2 during intensification in both the SR and IR groups.


2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-29
Author(s):  
Irappa Madabhavi ◽  
Apurva Patel ◽  
Asha Anand ◽  
Pritam Kataria ◽  
Nagaveni Kadakol ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Effective and reliable venous access is among the cornerstones of modern medical therapy in oncology. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational study of collected data of patients with a diagnosis of any cancer, at a tertiary care oncology hospital in Ahmadabad, Gujarat, India, during a 2-year period. Results: A Hickman catheter was inserted in 200 patients and most commonly used in solid malignancies (n = 103; 51.5%), followed by hematologic conditions (n = 93; 48.5%). Among solid malignancies, hepatoblastoma (n = 21; 10.5%) was the most common indication, whereas in hematologic malignancies acute lymphoblastic leukemia was the most common indication (n = 56; 28%) for Hickman catheter insertion. Hickman catheters were inserted most commonly in the right side (n = 170; 85%) of the venous system. The various complications in the Hickman study group in descending order were 28 patients (14%) developed arrhythmias, 15 patients (7.5%) developed infection, 12 patients (6%) developed bleeding, 8 patients (4%) developed pneumothorax, 7 patients (3.5%) developed catheter blockage, and 6 patients (3%) required premature catheter removal. The median time of Hickman catheter in situ was 207 days. Conclusions: The most disturbing aspect of treatment of patients with cancer is multiple painful venipunctures made for administration of cytotoxic agents, antibiotics, blood products, and nutritional supplements. The focus of this prospective observational research was to study the various indications for Hickman catheter in different solid and hematologic malignancies as well as the various complications and outcomes in pediatric and adult cancer patients.


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