Assessment of potential drug-drug interactions in hospitalized cancer patients

INTRODUCTION

Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) pose a significant threat to patients with cancer, resulting in several adverse events in an oncology setting. Our study aims to identify potential DDIs in inpatient oncology wards, assess their severity, and provide recommendations to avoid these interactions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective study was conducted in 79 hospitalized cancer patients over a period of 9 months (from August 2021 to May 2022) at the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi receiving at least two oncological or non-oncological drugs for 5 days.

RESULTS

Significant differences were found in drug count (61.6% vs. 38.4%), hospitalization duration (63.1% vs. 36.9%), and medications for comorbidities (63% vs. 37%) between patients with and without DDIs (p < 0.001, <0.001, and 0.01, respectively). The study identified 321 DDIs, with 14 (4.4%) X interactions, 93 (30%) D interactions, 161 (50%) C interactions, and 53 (15.6%) B interactions. Severity-wise, 76 (23.7%) were major, 190 (59.1%) were moderate, and 55 (17.2%) were minor.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that drug count, medications for comorbidities, and hospitalization duration significantly increase the risk of DDIs in hospitalized oncology patients. Around 96.4% of recommendations for potential interactions were accepted and implemented, highlighting the huge opportunities and requirements for improvement, implementation, and management of drug interactions in oncology settings.

Primary Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Larynx: A Case Report

Neuroendocrine tumours can originate from any part of the body. The most common site in the head and neck is the larynx, accounts for less than 0.6%. The neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) of the larynx are rare tumours with high incidence of widespread metastases and poor prognosis. Here we report a 50-year-old male with localised primary moderately differentiated NEC of the larynx. He was treated with surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and concurrent chemoradiation. He is free of his disease and is doing well.

Universal Screening of Patients with Cancer for COVID-19: Results from an Observational, Retrospective Cohort Study in Kerala, India

Introduction There is high risk of contracting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among patients with cancer with risk of mortality and morbidity being high. Limited data is available on the outcomes of universal screening of cancer patients with asymptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection from lower-middle-income countries (LMICs).

Objectives Our goal was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with cancer attending the medical oncology department of a tertiary care hospital in Kerala and protect both patients and health care workers before proceeding with the systemic anticancer treatment.

Materials and Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of screening patients receiving systemic anticancer therapy for COVID-19 among hospitalized patients from August 1, 2020, and both outpatients and hospitalized patients from September 1 to November 15, 2020. After clinical triaging, patients were subjected to universal screening with rapid antigen tests and/or reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Results A total of 1,722 SARS-CoV-2 tests (321 RT-PCR and 1,401 antigen tests) were performed among 1,496 asymptomatic patients before their scheduled chemotherapy/immunotherapy. Eight hundred forty-eight patients were screened more than twice. The patient cohort's median age was 59 years (range 01–92 years); 44.98% of patients were males, and 55.01% were females. 58.77% of patients were on adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 41.22% on chemotherapy for metastatic cancer. The most common malignancy was breast cancer (26.53%), followed by lung (8.35%) and gastrointestinal (16.4%) cancers. The prevalence of asymptomatic infections in our study was 0.86%. Only one patient who had undergone chemotherapy after a negative SARS-CoV-2 test developed confirmed COVID-19 during subsequent testing. From these index cases, none of the other patients, health care workers, or their caretakers contracted COVID-19.

Conclusion The prevalence of asymptomatic COVID-19 infections in our study was low (0.86%). With proper health education, clinical triaging, and screening of the high-risk group, it is possible to continue cancer treatment during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, even in LMICs.

Clinical Profile of Lung Cancer in Females- A Single Institution Study

The global incidence of lung cancer among women is rising. By 2030, lung cancer in women is expected to increase by 43%. The factors thought to predispose women to lung cancer are exposure second hand smoke, air pollution and biofuels used for cooking. Our objectives was to study the clinical and pathological features of lung cancer in women. Material: A retrospective review of medical records of women with lung cancer who attended Amrita institute of medical sciences, Kochi, between 2015-2019 was done. Data was collected using our institution's Electronic medical records (EMR). Demographic details and clinicopathologic features were extracted from the EMR manually. Data was tabulated using Microsoft Excel. Categorical variables were expressed as frequencies and percentages., Observation :Out of the 1683 lung cancer cases seen during 2015-2019, 389 (23.1%) were females. 250 patients for whom complete data was available was included in this study. Majority of the women were above 50 years old (N= 216, 86.4%). The median age of diagnosis was 64 years (range 33- 95 years). 14 patients (5.0%) had history of pulmonary tuberculosis. The median duration of symptoms was 8.7 weeks (IQR 4.3 -13). Cough (N=173, 69.2%), dyspnoea (N=117, 46.8%) and chest pain (N = 105, 42%) were the most common symptoms. Data regarding the use of cooking medium used (biofuel/LPG) was available only in 107 patients. 15/107 (14%) patients were using biofuels for cooking. 75.2% of them presented in advanced stages (Stage IV N=188). The most common sites of metastasis were bone (N=88, 35.2 %), lung (N = 55, 22%), lymph nodes (N=55, 22%) brain (N= 38, N= 15.2%), liver (N=32, 12.8%) and adrenal gland (N=31, 12.4%). 113 patients had one and 77 patients had multiple metastatic sites. The site of primary tumour was-right upper lobe N=67 (26.8%), Right middle lobe N =11 (4.4 %%), Right Lower lobe N=46 (18.4%), Left upper lobe N=65 (25%) and left lower lobe N=52(20.8%). Adenocarcinoma was the predominant histological type (N=224, 89.6%) followed by squamous cell carcinoma (N=12, 4.8%). Actionable mutations observed were EGFR in 44% and ALK 2% and BRAF 1.2%. Conclusion: Male to female ratio in our study (4.3:1) was higher compared to the lung cancer demographics from other states in India. This finding along with rising global incidence warrants special attention and screening for women with suspicious symptoms. The incidence of EGFR mutation was also high (44%) compared to other studies from India.

Selinexor—A Drug Review

Selinexor developed by Karyopharm Therapeutics is the first orally available small-molecule inhibitor of exportin-1 (XPO1). XPO-1 is a protein transporter responsible for the export of macromolecules such as tumor suppressor proteins and oncoprotein mRNAs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm; its inhibition results in blocking of multiple oncogenic pathways. Overexpression of XPO1 is seen in multiple myeloma and various other malignancies and is a poor prognostic marker. Pivotal positive trials have resulted in the approval of selinexor for use in refractory or relapsed diffuse large B cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma. In this review, we briefly cover the drug development, mechanism of action, indications, and toxicities of the drug, and the major pivotal trials.

Vulvar carcinoma in Fanconi Anaemia: A case report with review of literature

Fanconi anaemia is a rare autosomal recessive disorder associated with bone marrow failure and congenital malformations. The impaired DNA repair pathways in Fanconi anaemia predispose patients to a high risk of cancers of squamous cell origin, particularly in the head and neck region. Cancers of the vagina and vulva are rare in Fanconi anaemia. Here, we report a case of a 44-year-old female with Fanconi anaemia who developed an ulcerated lesion on the clitoris that extended into the labia majora. A biopsy of the lesion showed well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. The patient was treated with wide local excision of the vulval lesion. The patient developed neutropenia post-procedure but recovered in one week time. We have followed up the patient regularly since the procedure. No further issues have been detected to date.

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency in patients treated with 5FU or capecitabine based regimens: A single center experience from South India

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Background: DPYD deficiency is present in 3-5% of patients. The risk of treatment-related death in DPYD mutation carriers who receive fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy has been estimated at 3-10%. There is growing data in support of widespread screening for DPYD deficiency prior to fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy. The purpose of our study was to identify the prevalence of DPYD deficiency among patients receiving 5-fluorouracil (5FU) or capecitabine based combination chemotherapy, and to analyse the toxicity profile among the DPYD deficient group. Methods: The study involved patients who have received 5FU and capecitabine based chemotherapy for the treatment for gastrointestinal, breast and head and neck cancers between 2019-2020. Four DPYD variants were checked using real-time PCR based Genotyping assay. Three common DPYD variants recommended by the CPIC guidelines (IVS14+1 G>A (*2A), c.1679T>G (*13), c.2846A>T) and a common variant in Asian population (c.496A>G), based on previous studies, was included in our analysis. These variants were assessed prior to the initiation of the chemotherapy and dose was modified based on the activity score and the toxicity profile was assessed. Descriptive statistics was performed using SPSS version 20. Results: 375 patients were included in this analysis. The median age of the cohort was 61years (21-84 years). 51.3% were males and 49.7% females. Among the 375 patients, 47 patients had DPYD mutation (12.5%). The median age of the DPYD mutated patients were 68 years; 29 (61.7%) males and 18 (38.2%) females. 32 (68.8%) had deleterious mutation in DPYD variant c.496A>G (rs2297595) and 15 (31.9%) showed mutation IVS14+1 G>A (rs3918290). 35 out 47 patients had grade II-III toxicity even after dose reduction during the first cycle of chemotherapy. The commonly seen adverse events were hand and foot syndrome in 18 (38.3%), mucositis in 7 (14.9%), diarrrhoea in 15 (31.9%) and neutropenia in 25 (31.9%) patients. Four patients had febrile neutropenia. One patient experience myocardial infarction. There was no mortality. Chi square analysis showed DPYD mutation had significant association with presence of severe adverse reaction (74.5%, p-value. 0.002). Conclusions: Prevalence of DPYD mutation in our patients was 12.5%. They experienced more toxicities while receiving 5-FU/Capecitabine even after dose modification. c.496A>G (rs2297595) was the most common variant seen in our patients. Screening of patients for DPYD mutations prior to administration of 5-FU/capecitabine using pharmacogenetic methods may help identify those patients who are at risk for adverse effects, allowing a more individualized approach to their chemotherapy management. c.496A>G (rs2297595) variant should also be in included routinely in DPYD screening among South Asian population.

Correlation of serum PIVKA-II and AFP level with portal vein tumor thrombus and BCLC stage in newly diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma patients

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Background: Protein Induced by Vitamin K Absence-II (PIVKA-II) is a tumor marker specific for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). PIVKA-II levels correspond with HCC oncogenesis and disease progression. Portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) in patients with HCC is a significant factor that affect treatment and prognosis. In this study we assessed the predictive value of PIVKA-II and AFP for vascular invasion and BCLC stage in newly diagnosed HCC patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed records of newly diagnosed HCC patients at a tertiary hospital in India between January 2019 to December 2019. Clinical details, BCLC stage, radiological imaging records, serum levels of PIVKA-II and AFP at the time of diagnosis were obtained from medical records. Diagnostic accuracy and cut-off value of PIVKA-II in patients with portal invasion were calculated using receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis. Multiple pairwise comparisions between BCLC stage with PIVKA-II and AFP levels were analysed using Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: Out of 162 newly diagnosed HCC patients 42(25.9%) were detected with PVTT on imaging such as contrast-enhanced computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging at the time of diagnosis.120(74.1%) patients without PVTT were taken as controls for the analysis. Serum level of PIVKA-II in HCC patients with PVTT was significantly higher than in HCC patients without PVTT (1152.57 mAU/ml vs 146.39 mAU/ml; p = 0.001). AUROC of PIVKA-II was 0.796 (95%CI 0.70-0.892, p = 0.000).The optimal cut-off value of PIVKA-II was 271.81 mAU/ml with a sensitivity of 78.6% and specificity of 52.4%, and the diagnostic accuracy was 59.98%. AUROC of AFP was 0.619 (95%CI 0.59-0.72, p = 0.001). Median PIVKA-II value increased from BCLC stage A to D. Kruskal-Wallis test showed a significant difference of PIVKA-II levels between all stages except stage A and B (p values for stage A-B (0.297), A-C (0.000), A-D(0.000),whereas for AFP results were significant only between stages A and C (p values for stage A-B (0.348), A-C (0.003), A-D(0.206). Conclusions: Serum PIVKA-II level appears as a good predictive marker for PVTT and BCLC stage when compared to AFP which may guide therapeutic strategy and assessment of prognosis in newly diagnosed HCC patients.