ABSTRACT
Introduction Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a life-threatening metabolic abnormality. The incidence of TLS depends on the underlying malignancy. In a recent analysis of hematological malignancy, the incidence of clinical TLS in children was 3.8%, laboratory TLS 46.2%, and hyperphosphatemia 32.7%. Sevelamer is effective for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia associated with renal failure; however, there is no clear data that it has the same effect in treating hyperphosphatemia with TLS. Methods This was a retrospective study among children aged ≤14 years with hematological malignancy who developed TLS and received sevelamer to treat hyperphosphatemia at Princess Norah Oncology Center, King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC) in Jeddah from January 2012 to December 2016. Results A total of 34 patients received sevelamer. The majority was male (64%), with a median age of six years. The median sevelamer dose per day was 1600 mg, while the median duration of use was two days. Phosphate level was significantly decreased at different times (24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours) during sevelamer usage, p-value <0.001. Conclusion In our study, the use of sevelamer resulted in a significant decrease in phosphate levels. This finding further consolidates the efficacy of sevelamer in treating hyperphosphatemia with TLS. However, further research into the drug's kinetics is recommended.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting are the most dreaded and distressing side effects for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. These side effects have a significant impact on the patients' quality of life and can interfere with their ability to receive intensive chemotherapy regimens. With the recent advances in antiemetic pharmacotherapy and supportive care, the current treatments for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, when used appropriately, have become highly effective in mitigating these adverse effects. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the current practice involving antiemetic treatment in newly diagnosed pediatric oncology patients at our center. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of newly diagnosed pediatric oncology patients who were less than 14 years of age receiving their first cycle of inpatient chemotherapy. The data abstracted included the following: age, gender, type of cancer, chemotherapy regimen, emetogenic risk and level, prescribed prophylactic antiemetic regimen, incidence of breakthrough emesis, and breakthrough antiemetic medications used. Emetogenic risk was classified based on published guidelines into low, moderate, or high emetogenic chemotherapy, and a scoring system to determine the emetogenic level of combined chemotherapy agents was followed to monitor the efficacy of the antiemetic regimens. Clinical effectiveness was assessed based on breakthrough emesis. RESULTS: A total of 49 patients were eligible for the study. High emetogenic chemotherapy was administered in 28/49 (57.1%) and moderate emetogenic chemotherapy was administered in 21/49 (42.9%) patients. Only 10/49 (20.4%) received appropriate antiemetic prophylaxis, whereas 39/49 (79.6%) received inadequate antiemetic prophylaxis; 14/49 (28.6%) patients experienced breakthrough emesis. Breakthrough emesis occurred in 11/28 (39.3%) patients receiving high emetogenic chemotherapy and 3/21 (14.3%) patients receiving moderate emetogenic chemotherapy. The use of an inadequate antiemetic regimen was found in 14/14 (100%) patients with breakthrough emesis. Thus, inadequate prophylaxis resulted in a 35.9% (14/39) risk of breakthrough emesis. This risk was higher in patients receiving high emetogenic chemotherapy versus those receiving moderate emetogenic chemotherapy (39.3% versus 14.3%). CONCLUSION: Inadequate antiemetic prophylaxis is associated with a high risk of breakthrough emesis particularly with high emetogenic chemotherapy regimens. Standardizing antiemetic prophylaxis based on emetogenic level could reduce breakthrough emesis and improve the quality of life in pediatric oncology patients.
