Impact of chemotherapy sequence on the efficacy of scalp cooling devices for alopecia prevention.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e12034-e12034
Author(s):  
Omar Peña-Curiel ◽  
María Alejandra Garza-Ledezma ◽  
Héctor Díaz-Pérez ◽  
Bertha Alejandra Martinez-Cannon ◽  
Mauricio Canavati-Marcos ◽  
...  

e12034 Background: The use of scalp cooling devices (SCD) has been widely adopted for prevention against chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA). However, efficacy of SCD varies between different chemotherapy (CT) regimens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of SCD in breast cancer patients with different CT regimens treated in a tertiary cancer center in Monterrey, Mexico. Methods: All consecutive patients who used SCD were included. Data regarding treatment regimens and efficacy outcomes were prospectively collected. A descriptive analysis was performed to compare the effectiveness among the different CT regimens and sequences used. Results: We included a total of 49 patients with SCD usage from July 2016-January 2019. Table summarizes SCD efficacy, toxicities and CT regimens. In our study, 76% of patients had grade ≤1 CIA using SCD. 35% withdrew SCD use, with hair loss being the most common reason. 58% of patients who received upfront anthracycline-cyclophosphamide (AC) experienced grade 2 CIA. In contrast, no patients receiving taxane-only treatment had grade 2 CIA. Notably, only 3 of 16 patients (19%) who received upfront paclitaxel followed by anthracyclines developed grade 2 CIA. Conclusions: SCD proved to be highly effective in preventing grade 2 CIA with different CT regimens, including patients that received anthracycline-based regimens who started treatment with taxanes upfront. Accordingly, our results suggest that CT sequence, rather than type of CT agent may have a significant impact on the efficacy of SCD in CIA prevention. The results of larger studies are required to confirm our findings.[Table: see text]

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiziana Prochilo ◽  
Alessandra Huscher ◽  
Federica Andreis ◽  
Mara Mirandola ◽  
Elisabetta Zaina ◽  
...  

Background: The most effective agents in the treatment of breast cancer have a common side effect, the hair loss. Some studies reported a reduction of hair loss with the use of the scalp cooling device. Indeed, it decreases the drug accumulation in the hair follicles. We report our preliminary experience with a scalp cooling device in reducing chemotherapy-induced alopecia and related distress in breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy. </P><P> Methods: Hair loss grading and treatment tolerability were evaluated during chemotherapy every 21 days and 3 weeks after the last cycle of chemotherapy via Dean’s scale by patients and operators and a comfort analogic scale by patients. We administered the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaire at the baseline and at the end of treatment to assess the distress related to chemotherapy- induced alopecia. Results: Among the 46 patients identified, 27 accepted the device. The eligible chemotherapy regimens included docetaxel+cyclophosphamide (TC), doxorubicin+cyclophosphamide (AC) and paclitaxel (P) weekly+trastuzumab (T). 24 pts (89%) completed the treatment; 3 pts (11%) treated with AC prematurely interrupted use of the scalp-cooling device due to inefficacy. After the last cycle of chemotherapy, the number of patient who perceived a HL < grade 2 was 16 (59%). The hair retention reported by operators has been higher (78%). 81.5% of patients well tolerated the treatment. Conclusion: In our study, the scalp-cooling device reduced chemotherapy-induced alopecia in taxane- based chemotherapy. Furthermore, it suggests a discordance in hair loss perception between patients and operators.


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