Effects of the leucovorin shortage: Pilot study investigating cost, efficacy, and toxicity comparison of low fixed-dose versus body surface area-adjusted leucovorin dosing in patients with resectable colon or metastatic colorectal cancer.

Purpose As a result of the leucovorin shortage, we switched from BSA-adjusted to low fixed-dose leucovorin in patients with colon cancer receiving fluorouracil-containing therapy. Methods A retrospective, pilot study of adults receiving intravenous leucovorin as part of a fluorouracil-containing treatment was conducted including individuals with stage II or III colon or newly diagnosed metastatic colorectal cancer. One low fixed-dose (leucovorin 50 mg) patient was matched by the investigator to one BSA-adjusted (leucovorin 200-500 mg/m2/dose) patient on disease stage and age. The objectives were to compare cost of alternative dosing strategies as well as efficacy and adverse event rates. Only patients being treated in the first-line metastatic colorectal cancer setting were included in the efficacy analysis. Results Fifty-eight patients were included. Leucovorin cost was reduced by 7- to 14-fold, and we were able to conserve a total of 1580-3400 doses of leucovorin by changing to fixed-dose (estimated from 200 mg/m2 or 400 mg/m2 dosing strategies, respectively). No statistically significant differences in progression-free survival ( p = 0.254), overall survival ( p = 0.923), or complications resulted. Conclusion Our decision to reduce the dose of leucovorin allowed us to conserve supply and control cost. The small sample size did not allow us to detect differences in efficacy or adverse event rates, and thus a larger study would be required to confirm our findings that efficacy was not compromised nor adverse effects greater.

Comparison of enteral and parenteral methods of urine alkalinization in patients receiving high-dose methotrexate.

Purpose Hyperhydration and urinary alkalinization is implemented with all high-dose (HD)-methotrexate infusions to promote excretion and prevent precipitation of methotrexate in the renal tubules. Our institution utilized enteral alkalinizing agents (sodium bicarbonate tablets and sodium citrate/citric acid solution) to alkalinize the urine of patients receiving HD-methotrexate during a parenteral sodium bicarbonate and sodium acetate shortage. The purpose of this study is to establish the safety and efficacy of the enteral route for urine alkalinization. Methods A single-center, retrospective, cohort study was conducted comparing cycles of HD-methotrexate using enteral alkalinizing agents to parenteral sodium bicarbonate. The primary objective was to compare the time, in hours, from administration of first inpatient administered dose of alkalinizing agent to time of achieving goal urine pH. Secondary objectives evaluated total dose of sodium bicarbonate required to achieve goal urine pH, time from start of urine alkalinizing agent until time of achieving methotrexate level safe for discharge, and toxicities associated with methotrexate and the alkalinizing agents. Results A total of 118 patients were included in this study, equally divided into two cohorts based on parenteral versus enteral routes of administration. No statistical difference was determined between the two cohorts regarding time to goal urine pH (6.5 h versus 7.9 h, P = 0.051) or regarding time to methotrexate level deemed safe for discharge (63.5 h versus 62.5 h, p = 0.835). There were no significant differences in methotrexate-induced toxicities. Conclusion Our study found enteral routes of urine alkalinization to be a viable alternative to the traditional parenteral sodium bicarbonate, especially during parenteral sodium bicarbonate and acetate shortages.

A multicenter analysis of GTX chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced and metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

PURPOSE: Studies treating adenocarcinoma of the pancreas with gemcitabine alone or in combination with a doublet have demonstrated modest improvements in survival. Recent reports have suggested that using the triple-drug regimen FOLFIRINOX can substantially extend survival in patients with metastatic disease. We were interested in determining the clinical benefit of another three-drug regimen of gemcitabine, docetaxel and capecitabine (GTX) in patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The cases of 154 patients, who received treatment with GTX chemotherapy with histologically confirmed locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma, were retrospectively reviewed. All demographic and clinical data were captured including prior therapy, adverse events, treatment response and survival. RESULTS: One hundred and seventeen metastatic and 37 locally advanced cases of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas were reviewed. Partial responses were noted in 11% of cases, and stable disease was observed in 62% of patients. Responses significantly correlated with toxicity (neutropenia, ALT elevation and hospitalizations). Grade 3 or greater hematologic and non-hematologic toxicities were noted in 41% and 9% of cases, respectively. Overall median survival was 11.6 months. Chemotherapy naïve patients with metastatic and locally advanced disease achieved a median survival of 11.3 and 25.0 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We observe a substantial survival benefit with GTX chemotherapy in our cohort of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. These findings warrant further investigation of this combination in this patient population.