Comparative analysis of rituximab or obinutuzumab combined with CHOP in first-line treatment of follicular lymphoma.

PURPOSE: Rituximab (R) or obinutuzumab (G) combined with CHOP chemotherapy are used in previously untreated follicular lymphoma (FL). The aim is to compare in real life setting the efficacy and safety of these therapeutic strategies and assess the economic impact of introducing G. METHODS: This retrospective study, performed in 3 centers, included data from all patients who received R-CHOP or G-CHOP for previous untreated FL from June 1st, 2016 to December 31st, 2020. Progression-Free Survival (PFS) were estimated according to the Kaplan-Meier method. A budgetary impact model was performed from the French health care system's perspective. RESULTS: N = 124 patients were included (58 G-CHOP; 66 R-CHOP). Fifty-one and 57 patients achieved a complete response at the end of induction in the G-CHOP and R-CHOP group, respectively. PFS was not significantly longer in the G-CHOP group (HR 0.28; 95% CI 0.08-0.97; p value = 0.14). Hematological toxicity occurred more frequently with G-CHOP than R-CHOP during induction treatment (n = 58; 100% vs. n = 61; 92%), including higher severe neutropenia (grade ≥ 3) (n = 26; 45% vs. n = 23; 35%). Infusion-related reactions during the first infusion occurred more frequently with G-CHOP (n = 19; 33% vs. n = 16; 24%). The introduction of a completed G treatment (induction and maintenance) results in an additional cumulative cost per patient estimated at more than €30,000. CONCLUSION: Similar results were found in the GALLIUM subgroup analysis study, suggesting that at this time there is no absolute benefit to administer G-CHOP instead of R-CHOP in all patients with previously untreated FL and may encourage clinical and economic trials including quality of life data.

Safety and Survival Outcomes in Lung Cancer Patients Receiving Carboplatin: Impact of Uncapped Dosage.

The prescription of carboplatin is commonly based on the Calvert formula, and low serum creatinine values can lead to an overestimation of the glomerular filtration rate and of the carboplatin dose. Limited data recommend to cap carboplatin dose at 800 mg, but the risk of suboptimal carboplatin dose is concerning. This study compared hematologic toxicity occurrence and survival outcomes in lung cancer patients receiving carboplatin > or <800 mg based on the Calvert formula (target area under the curve = 5 mg/mL min). Our results show more severe cytopenia in patients receiving carboplatin >800 mg with significant difference for all grades of thrombocytopenia in the uncapped group (37% patients vs. 3%, p = 0.02). For metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer patients, we also observed hematologic toxicity in the uncapped group with more severe anemia (30% of patients vs. 0%, p = 0.03) and all grades of thrombocytopenia (39 vs. 0%, p = 0.02) than the capped group. Concerning the secondary endpoint, we obtained a trend of lower progression-free survival and overall survival in patients receiving carboplatin >800 mg, but no significant difference appears for the both survival criteria. This study aims to improve the determination of carboplatin dosage to know the real impact of carboplatin capping and to find the optimum balance between excessive toxicity and substandard therapeutics outcomes.

A UV-Raman spectrometry method for quality control of anticancer preparations: Results after 18 months of implementation in hospital pharmacy.

In France, chemotherapy preparation units of hospital pharmacy compound cytotoxic infusion bags adapted to each patient. The narrow therapeutic index of these preparations led us to implement qualitative and quantitative control for patients' safety. To this aim, we calibrated an equipment combining UV-vis spectrometry and Raman spectroscopy (QC Prep+) and monitored 14 different molecule-solvent combinations over a 18 months period. This rapid and specific method allowed the qualitative and quantitative analysis of 1 mL sample tests in less than 2 min. On 5742 anticancer preparations, we obtained accepted results with more than 99.4% solvent identification, 99.6% drug identification and only 1.52% of preparations not matching quantitative specifications (±15% of theoretical concentration). This quantitative control enabled us to pinpoint some critical points of production for two of the most common preparations. We thus updated the procedures of reconstitution and preparation, increasing the quality of final product. UV-Raman spectrometry is thus an effective tool to control chemotherapy infusions and to improve good practices of preparation.