Severe rhabdomyolysis related to oxaliplatin adjuvant therapy for colorectal cancer

Investigating the therapeutic promise of drug-repurposed-loaded nanocarriers: A pioneering strategy in advancing colorectal cancer treatment

Globally, colorectal cancer is a major health problem that ranks in third place in terms of occurrence and second in terms of mortality worldwide. New cases increase annually, with the absence of effective therapies, especially for metastatic colorectal cancer, emphasizing the need for novel therapeutic approaches. Although conventional treatments are commonly used in oncotherapy, their success rate is low, which leads to the exploration of novel technologies. Recent efforts have focused on developing safe and efficient cancer nanocarriers. With their nanoscale properties, nanocarriers have the potential to utilize internal metabolic modifications amid cancer and healthy cells. Drug repurposing is an emerging strategy in cancer management as it is a faster, cheaper, and safer method than conventional drug development. However, most repurposed drugs are characterized by low-key pharmacokinetic characteristics, such as poor aqueous solubility, permeability, retention, and bioavailability. Nanoparticles formulations and delivery have expanded over the past few decades, creating opportunities for drug repurposing and promises as an advanced cancer modality. This review provides a concise and updated overview of colorectal cancer treatment regimens and their therapeutic limitations. Furthermore, the chemotherapeutic effect of various FDA-approved medications, including statins, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antidiabetic and anthelmintic agents, and their significance in colorectal cancer management. Along with the role of various nanocarrier systems in achieving the desired therapeutic outcomes of employing these redefined drugs.

Nelarabine-induced rhabdomyolysis in a patient with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a case report

Background

Nelarabine is an antineoplastic purine analog used for the treatment of refractory or relapsed T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). The most prominent side effect of nelarabine are neurotoxicity and hematologic disorder, which are considered dose-limiting factors. Although clinical studies have reported myopathy due to nelarabine, actual detailed outcomes were not well-known initial approval. The incidence of nelarabine induced rhabdomyolysis has been reported at 2% in study in children. Cases of rhabdomyolysis have been reported in adults from medical facilities in the United Sates with renal dysfunction or severe muscle symptoms after administration of multiple courses of nelarabine. In this report, we discuss a case of rhabdomyolysis diagnosed after a single course of nelarabine. In this case, creatine kinase (CK) level was elevated in grade 4, without renal dysfunction and severe muscle symptoms.

Case presentation

A 46-year-old man from Japan was diagnosed with T-ALL and received a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in first remission. However, the disease relapsed 6 months after transplantation. Nelarabine was selected as the next-line chemotherapeutic agent. The patient received 1500 mg/m² of nelarabine on day 1 followed by a dose on days 3 and 5. CK levels, which were baseline before treatment, increased to grade 4 (18,620 IU/L) on the 8th day of treatment. He was diagnosed as rhabdomyolysis due to nelarabine with little possibility of other factors. He complained only of mild pain in his upper extremities and no other symptoms were noticed. The patient was managed with hydration. The pain lasted approximately 7 days, but there were no sequelae secondary to the rhabdomyolysis. Because of the elevation of CK in grade 4, we avoided re-administration.

Conclusion

In the patient administrated nelarabine, CK level was elevated in grade 4, without other symptoms of rhabdomyolysis. The results suggest that CK may be elevated at the onset of rhabdomyolysis caused by nelarabine, even in the absence of other symptoms. Therefore, it was suggested that monitoring CK during nelarabine administration is important for detecting rhabdomyolysis before it becomes severe. We consider that CK should be monitored even in absence of symptoms.