Diagnostic challenges of respiratory adverse events during everolimus treatment

Everolimus has important clinical activity in various malignancies, but its use can be complicated by respiratory adverse events. Important everolimus-induced respiratory adverse events are interstitial lung disease (ILD) and infections, either typical or opportunistic. Furthermore, non-everolimus-related respiratory events can occur. Due to the non-specific presentation of most of these respiratory disorders, it is often not possible to differentiate between these causes on clinical and radiological grounds only. Considering the potential fatal nature of opportunistic infections, these are especially important to recognize. To be able to distinguish between ILD and (opportunistic) infections as the underlying cause, an aggressive diagnostic workup, including bronchoalveolar lavage, should be performed in patients treated with everolimus who develop respiratory disease. We report three cases of severe opportunistic pulmonary infections during everolimus treatment, concerning two Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia infections. These cases illustrate the diagnostic challenges of respiratory adverse events and the importance of a thorough diagnostic workup for correct diagnosis and treatment

Administration can be more patient-friendly, time-saving and cost-effective:Folfirinox treatment regimen for pancreas tumors can be more efficient

Door een kritische blik te werpen op het kuurschema van FOLFIRINOX is de Werkgroep Duurzaamheid en Doelmatigheid van de Nederlandse Vereniging Voor Medische Oncologie (NVMO) erin geslaagd dit schema patiëntvriendelijker, tijdbesparend en kosteneffectiever te maken. De aanbevelingen kunnen worden geëxtrapoleerd naar andere 5FU-bevattende chemokuren waaronder modified-FOLFIRINOX, FLOT, FOLFIRI, FOLFOX en FOLFOXIRI

Administration can be more patient-friendly, time-saving and cost-effective:Folfirinox treatment regimen for pancreas tumors can be more efficient

Door een kritische blik te werpen op het kuurschema van FOLFIRINOX is de Werkgroep Duurzaamheid en Doelmatigheid van de Nederlandse Vereniging Voor Medische Oncologie (NVMO) erin geslaagd dit schema patiëntvriendelijker, tijdbesparend en kosteneffectiever te maken. De aanbevelingen kunnen worden geëxtrapoleerd naar andere 5FU-bevattende chemokuren waaronder modified-FOLFIRINOX, FLOT, FOLFIRI, FOLFOX en FOLFOXIRI

Potential added value of combined DPYD/DPD genotyping and phenotyping to prevent severe toxicity in patients with a DPYD variant and decreased dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase enzyme activity

Decreased dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase enzyme activity is associated with severe fluoropyrimidine-associated toxicity. Four clinically relevant variants in the DPYD gene are associated with decreased dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase activity. However, only ∼25% of DPYD variant carriers show a decreased dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Objective: To investigate if dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase phenotyping has added value when combined with DPYD genotyping in predicting fluoropyrimidine-related toxicity. Methods: Retrospective cohort study in which treatment and toxicity data were collected of 228 patients genotyped for four DPYD variants and phenotyped using an ex vivo peripheral blood mononuclear cell assay. Results: Severe toxicity occurred in 25% of patients with a variant and normal dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase activity, in 21% of patients without a variant and with decreased dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase activity, and in 29% of patients without a variant and with normal dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase activity (controls). The majority of patients with a variant or a decreased dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase activity received an initial dose reduction (68% and 53% vs 19% in controls) and had a lower mean dose intensity (75% and 81% vs 91% in controls). Fifty percent of patients with a variant and decreased enzyme activity experienced severe toxicity, despite the lowest initial dose and whole treatment dose intensity. They also experienced more grade 4/5 toxicities. Conclusions: Our results indicate that a combined genotype–phenotype approach could be useful to identify patients at increased risk for fluoropyrimidine-associated toxicity (e.g. patients with a variant and decreased dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase activity). Because the group sizes are too small to demonstrate statistically significant differences, this warrants further research in a prospective study in a larger cohort

Effect of the P-glycoprotein inhibitor tamoxifen on edoxaban plasma levels in women with breast cancer

Background: Concomitant use of P-glycoprotein inhibitors can reduce clearance of edoxaban and increase its plasma concentration. Caution is advised with simultaneous use of edoxaban and the frequently used P-glycoprotein inhibitor tamoxifen. However, pharmacokinetic data are lacking. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effect of tamoxifen on edoxaban clearance. Methods: This was a prospective, self-controlled, pharmacokinetic study in breast cancer participants starting tamoxifen. Edoxaban was given at a dose of 60 mg once daily for 4 consecutive days, first without tamoxifen and later with concomitant tamoxifen in steady-state. On day 4 of both edoxaban sequences, serial blood samples were taken. A population pharmacokinetic model was developed using nonlinear mixed effects modelling in which the effect of tamoxifen on edoxaban clearance was assessed. Additionally, mean area under the curves (AUC) were estimated. Geometric least square means (GLM) ratios were calculated and no interaction was concluded if the 90 % CI was within the 80–125 % no-effect boundaries. Results: Twenty-four women with breast cancer scheduled for tamoxifen were included. The median age was 56 years (IQR 51–63). The average edoxaban clearance was 32.0 L/h (95 % CI, 11.1–35.0 L/h). There was no effect of tamoxifen on edoxaban clearance, with a fraction of 100 % (95 % CI 92–108) compared to clearance without tamoxifen. The mean AUCs were 1923 ng*h/ml (SD 695) without tamoxifen and 1947 ng*h/ml (SD 595) with tamoxifen (GLM-ratio 100.4; 90 % CI 98.6–102.2). Conclusions: Concomitant use of the P-glycoprotein inhibitor tamoxifen does not lead to reduced clearance of edoxaban in patients with breast cancer

Molecular tumour boards and molecular diagnostics for patients with cancer in the Netherlands : experiences, challenges, and aspirations

Advances in molecular tumour diagnostics and the number of targeted therapies increase rapidly. Molecular tumour boards (MTBs) are designated to interpret these data and provide clinical recommendations. Not all patients with cancer have access to advice of an MTB. We aimed to determine the current status, opportunities, and challenges of the organisation of MTBs in the Netherlands. We interviewed several stakeholders about their experiences with an MTB, using template analysis. Most clinicians and patient representatives underscore the significance of an MTB, because it can stimulate rational treatment options, enrolment in clinical trials, and interdisciplinary knowledge transfer. Health insurance companies and financial managers are concerned about increasing costs. Registries to assess the clinical benefit of MTBs, guidelines on quality control, financial agreements, and logistical resources are lacking. The national organisation of MTBs and a registry of molecular and clinical data are important issues to address