Improved Pharmacy Department Workflow with New Method of Order Entry for Single-Agent, High-Dose Methotrexate

From 1982 to 1989, 97 patients with extremity-localized, high-grade osteosarcoma were treated according to the T-10 protocol. Two thirds of the patients consisted of the near-complete national patient materials from Norway and Finland. Eighty patients (82%) received four courses of high-dose methotrexate (HD MTX, 8 to 12 g/m2) at weekly intervals as their only preoperative treatment, and 77 patients (79%) were assessable for histologic response grading according to Rosen et al (Cancer 49:1221-1230, 1991). Observed histologic response was no certain chemotherapy effect (grade I) in 21%, grade II effect in 62%, and grade III or IV effect in 17%. Nonresponders had significantly lower serum MTX concentrations after 24 and 48 hours than responders; the significance of the difference at 48 hours was maintained in a multivariate analysis. After a median follow-up of 45 months, projected 5-year overall and relapse-free survival for all patients were 64% and 54%, respectively. Patients with a good response to preoperative chemotherapy (grade III/IV) had a significantly better survival than grade I/II responders, despite a switch to postoperative cisplatin/doxorubicin chemotherapy in the latter group. These results were obtained in a largely nonselected group of patients. We conclude that a good initial chemotherapy effect is important for the final outcome in osteosarcoma, and that HD MTX alone is insufficient preoperative treatment for the majority of patients. The individual MTX excretion rate is of importance for tumor response, suggesting a dose-response relationship for HD MTX treatment.

Download Full-text

Phase 1B of ibrutinib and high-dose methotrexate for recurrent/refractory CNS lymphoma.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2017.35.15_suppl.7533 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. 7533-7533 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Christian Grommes ◽

Jacqueline Stone ◽

Craig Nolan ◽

Elina Tsyvkin ◽

Julia Wolfe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Adverse Events ◽

Systemic Disease ◽

Single Agent ◽

Primary Cns Lymphoma ◽

Cns Lymphoma ◽

High Dose ◽

High Dose Methotrexate ◽

Newly Diagnosed ◽

Dose Methotrexate ◽

Phase 1B

7533 Background: Primary CNS Lymphoma (PCNSL) is an aggressive primary brain tumor. Outcome and treatment options for patients with recurrent/refractory (r/r) disease are poor. We have observed promising efficacy of single agent ibrutinib in r/r PCNSL and secondary CNS lymphoma (SCNSL). In this phase 1B trial, we investigate the toxicity of ibrutinib in combination with high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) in r/r PCNSL/SCNSL. Methods: Eligible patients had r/r PCNSL/SCNSL or newly diagnosed SCNSL, age≥18, ECOG≤2, normal end-organ function, and with any number and type of prior therapies. In patients with SCNSL disease, systemic disease needed to be absent. HD-MTX was given at 3.5g/m2 every 2 weeks for a total of 8 doses. To minimize adverse events, ibrutinib was stopped on days of HD-MTX infusion and was restarted 5 days after MTX infusion or after completion of MTX-clearance, if clearance of MTX required more than 5 days. Ibrutinib was continued daily after completion of 8 doses of MTX. Results: Six patients have been enrolled; 3 received 560mg and 3 received 840mg ibrutinib in combination with HD-MTX. Median age was 62 (range 43-74); median ECOG 1 (0:2; 1:3; 2:1). Two had r/r PCNSL and 4 SCNSL. Three had brain disease, one isolated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) involvement and two parenchymal and CSF involvement. Three patients had recurrent (2 PCNSL; 1 SCNSL), two refractory (both SCNSL), and one newly diagnosed disease (SCNSL). There were no grade 4 adverse events. Grade 3 events were observed in 5 patients (lymphopenia in 3, ALT elevation in 2, diarrhea in 1, electrolyte changes in 1, hypertension in 1). The most common adverse events were hypokalemia, low WBC, hyperglycemia, ALT and AST elevation. There was no dose reduction of methotrexate or ibrutinib in any patient. After a median follow-up of 130 days, all patients were evaluated for response after 4 doses of HD-MTX, with 4/6 (67%) showing a response: 2 CR, 2 PR, and 1 SD, 1 PD; both non-responders were refractory SCNSL. Ibrutinib concentrations were measured in plasma and CSF. Conclusions: Patients with CNS lymphoma tolerate the combination of HD-MTX and Ibrutinib (at 560 and 840mg) well. Continued enrollment into a combination arm that includes rituximab, methotrexate and ibrutinib is ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT02315326.

Download Full-text

Shortening Infusion Time for High-Dose Methotrexate Alters Antileukemic Effects: A Randomized Prospective Clinical Trial

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2010.32.5340 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 29 (13) ◽

pp. 1771-1778 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Torben S. Mikkelsen ◽

Alex Sparreboom ◽

Cheng Cheng ◽

Yinmei Zhou ◽

James M. Boyett ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽

Single Agent ◽

The United States ◽

Leukemia Cells ◽

High Dose ◽

Infusion Time ◽

High Dose Methotrexate ◽

Dose Methotrexate ◽

Infusion Duration

Purpose To determine whether shortening the infusion duration of high-dose methotrexate (HDMTX; 1 g/m2) affects the in vivo accumulation of active methotrexate polyglutamates (MTXPG1-7) in leukemia cells and whether this differs among major acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) subtypes. Methods From June 2000 through October 2007, 356 children with ALL were randomly assigned to receive initial single-agent treatment with HDMTX (1 g/m2) as either a 24-hour infusion or a 4-hour infusion at two pediatric hospitals in the United States. The primary outcome measures were the accumulation of MTXPG1-7 in leukemia cells and the antileukemic effects (eg, inhibition of de novo purine synthesis in bone marrow ALL cells, and decrease in circulating ALL cells). Results The 24-hour infusion resulted in significantly higher amounts of MTXPG1-7 in bone marrow leukemia cells (median: 1,695 v 1,150 pmol/109 cells, P = .0059), and better antileukemic effects. The 24-hour infusion had the greatest effect on MTXPG1-7 accumulation in hyperdiploid ALL (median: 3,919 v 2,417 pmol/109 cells, P = .0038); T-cell ALL exhibited smaller differences in MTXPG1-7 but greater antileukemic effects with the longer infusion (median decrease in leukemia cells: 88.4% v 51.8%, P = .0075). In contrast, infusion duration had no significant impact on MTXPG1-7 accumulation or antileukemic effects in ALL with the t(12;21)/(ETV6-RUNX1) chromosomal translocation. Conclusion Shortening the infusion time of HDMTX reduces accumulation of active methotrexate in leukemia cells and decreases antileukemic effects, with differing consequences among major ALL subtypes.

Download Full-text

Chemotherapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma. A review.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.1996.14.3.1007 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 1007-1017 ◽

Cited By ~ 173

Author(s):

S T Ong ◽

N J Vogelzang

Keyword(s):

Phase Ii ◽

Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma ◽

Combination Chemotherapy ◽

Response Rate ◽

Single Agent ◽

High Dose ◽

Pleural Mesothelioma ◽

High Dose Methotrexate ◽

Phase Ii Trials ◽

Dose Methotrexate

PURPOSE AND DESIGN We reviewed the published literature of clinical studies in malignant pleural mesothelioma, including phase II trials of the newer antifolates and plant derivatives, as well as older single-agent and combination chemotherapy trials. We excluded trials with less than 15 patients, although we have mentioned smaller trials in the text to make a specific point, as well as ones that show promise. We have also included confidence intervals when cited in the original reports, or calculated them when absent. RESULTS No drugs have consistently induced a response greater than 20%. Higher response rates have been reported with detorubicin, high-dose methotrexate, and edatrexate at 26%, 37%, and 25%, respectively, but these have yet to be confirmed. Agents that produce response rates in 10% to 20% of patients include doxorubicin, epirubicin, mitomycin, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, cisplatin, and carboplatin. Combination chemotherapy trials do not demonstrate a consistently greater response rate than single-agent trials. However, the combination of doxorubicin, cisplatin, bleomycin, and mitomycin demonstrated a response rate of 44% (95% confidence interval, 27% to 63%), but this remains unconfirmed. Intrapleural therapy using interferon gamma, particularly for small-volume disease, shows promise. CONCLUSION The successful treatment of unresectable pleural mesothelioma awaits the discovery of active drugs. Recent trials of high-dose methotrexate and other antifolates are encouraging. Newer agents, including suramin, should be evaluated in phase II trials. Off-protocol combination therapy cannot be recommended over single-agent therapy, but studies that use combinations of the newer agents should be conducted.

Download Full-text

Five decades of low intensity and low survival: adapting intensified regimens to cure pediatric Burkitt lymphoma in Africa

Blood Advances ◽

10.1182/bloodadvances.2020002178 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (16) ◽

pp. 4007-4019

Author(s):

Nmazuo W. Ozuah ◽

Joseph Lubega ◽

Carl E. Allen ◽

Nader Kim El-Mallawany

Keyword(s):

Burkitt Lymphoma ◽

Low Dose ◽

Single Agent ◽

The United States ◽

High Income ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

High Dose ◽

High Dose Methotrexate ◽

Dose Methotrexate ◽

Sub Saharan

Abstract Long-term cure of childhood Burkitt lymphoma (BL) in sub-Saharan Africa after treatment with single-agent cyclophosphamide has been documented for more than half of a century. Contemporary cure rates for the highest-risk patients with BL in high-income countries exceed 90% using intensive multiagent chemotherapy. By contrast, the majority of African children with BL still die. Data spanning 5 decades in Africa have repeatedly shown that the children most likely to achieve cure with limited cyclophosphamide regimens are those with lower-stage disease isolated to the jaw. Attempts to intensify the cyclophosphamide monotherapy backbone with the addition of vincristine, low-dose methotrexate, prednisone, doxorubicin, and/or low-dose cytarabine have not yielded significant improvement. High-dose methotrexate is a critical component in the treatment of childhood BL worldwide. Although initial efforts in Africa to incorporate high-dose methotrexate resulted in high treatment-related mortality, more recent collaborative experiences from North and West Africa, as well as Central America, demonstrate that it can be administered safely and effectively, despite limitations in supportive care resources. Recognizing the unacceptable disparity in curative outcomes for BL between the United States/Europe and equatorial Africa, there is a critical need to safely adapt contemporary treatment regimens to optimize curative outcomes amid the resource limitations in regions where BL is endemic. Here, we critically review reports of BL treatment outcomes from low- and middle-income countries, in addition to data from high-income countries that predated modern intensified regimens, to identify potential strategies to improve the therapeutic approach for children suffering from BL in sub-Saharan Africa.

Download Full-text