Jay M Patel1, Lisa M Holle2, Jessica M Clement3, Thomas Bunz4, Christopher Niemann5, Kevin W Chamberlin6. 1. Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale, New Haven, CT, USA. 2. UConn School of Pharmacy, John Dempsey Hospital/UConn Health, Storrs, CT, USA lisa.holle@uconn.edu. 3. UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA. 4. New England Health Analytics, LLC, Granby, CT, USA. 5. John Dempsey Hospital/UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA. 6. UConn School of Pharmacy, John Dempsey Hospital/UConn Health, Storrs, CT, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: With the introduction of oral chemotherapy, the paradigm for cancer treatment is shifting. Use of oral chemotherapy agents offers a non-invasive option for patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer. However, these medications are not without challenges including strict adherence for optimal effects, novel toxicity profiles, frequent lab parameter monitoring, high cost, and proper handling and disposal methods. Pharmacists are positioned to play a key role in providing patients with the education required to assure an optimal treatment course is carried out. METHODS: Two cohorts of patients receiving abiraterone, bicalutamide, or enzalutamide for metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer seen in our outpatient cancer center 21 months before and 24 months after the implementation of a pharmacist-led oral chemotherapy-monitoring program in December of 2012 were retrospectively compared. Patients were evaluated for number of interventions, adherence to lab parameter monitoring, and overall time on each therapy. RESULTS: Of the 64 patients identified, 31 patients fulfilled inclusion criteria. A significant increase in the average number of interventions per patient (6.9 vs. 2.6; P = 0.004) and adherence to lab parameter monitoring (10 vs. 3; P = 0.04) in the post-program implementation cohort was found. However, no significant difference in overall time on therapy (10.3 vs. 8.1; P = 0.341) between the two groups was observed. CONCLUSION: These results suggest a potential opportunity exists to maximize oral chemotherapy treatment outcomes with the addition of a formalized monitoring program directed by an oncology pharmacist.
BACKGROUND: With the introduction of oral chemotherapy, the paradigm for cancer treatment is shifting. Use of oral chemotherapy agents offers a non-invasive option for patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer. However, these medications are not without challenges including strict adherence for optimal effects, novel toxicity profiles, frequent lab parameter monitoring, high cost, and proper handling and disposal methods. Pharmacists are positioned to play a key role in providing patients with the education required to assure an optimal treatment course is carried out. METHODS: Two cohorts of patients receiving abiraterone, bicalutamide, or enzalutamide for metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer seen in our outpatientcancer center 21 months before and 24 months after the implementation of a pharmacist-led oral chemotherapy-monitoring program in December of 2012 were retrospectively compared. Patients were evaluated for number of interventions, adherence to lab parameter monitoring, and overall time on each therapy. RESULTS: Of the 64 patients identified, 31 patients fulfilled inclusion criteria. A significant increase in the average number of interventions per patient (6.9 vs. 2.6; P = 0.004) and adherence to lab parameter monitoring (10 vs. 3; P = 0.04) in the post-program implementation cohort was found. However, no significant difference in overall time on therapy (10.3 vs. 8.1; P = 0.341) between the two groups was observed. CONCLUSION: These results suggest a potential opportunity exists to maximize oral chemotherapy treatment outcomes with the addition of a formalized monitoring program directed by an oncology pharmacist.
Authors: Sarah M Belcher; Emily Mackler; Benyam Muluneh; Pamela K Ginex; Mary K Anderson; Elizabeth Bettencourt; Ryan K DasGupta; Jennifer Elliott; Erica Hall; Michelle Karlin; Diana Kostoff; Victoria K Marshall; Vanessa E Millisor; Maegan Molnar; Susan M Schneider; Janelle Tipton; Susan Yackzan; Kristine B LeFebvre; Kapeena Sivakumaran; Haya Waseem; Rebecca L Morgan Journal: Oncol Nurs Forum Date: 2022-06-17 Impact factor: 1.803
Authors: Kapeena Sivakumaran; Pamela K Ginex; Haya Waseem; Sarah M Belcher; Sarah Lagler-Clark; Kristine B LeFebvre; Nicole Palmer; Tejanth Pasumarthi; Rebecca L Morgan Journal: Oncol Nurs Forum Date: 2022-06-17 Impact factor: 1.803