Amber B. Clemmons

Clinical Outcomes of Acid Suppressive Therapy Use in Hematology/Oncology Patients at an Academic Medical Center

Background: Acid suppressive therapy (AST)—namely, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs)—is routinely prescribed to hospitalized patients for stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP). Objective: To identify the incidence of and indications for AST use in the hematology/oncology population as well as to identify the occurrence of the following PPI-associated adverse events: pneumonia and Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea (CDAD). Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on adult hematology/oncology patients admitted to any oncology service for ≥48 hours from October 1, 2014, to December 31, 2014. Results: Of the 298 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 73% (n = 218) received an AST during admission. The most common indication for an AST was SUP (63%). The incidence of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) was 10%, 0%, and 4% in patients who received a PPI, H2RA, and no AST, respectively (14/142 vs 0/70 vs 3/80; odds ratio [OR] for PPI vs no AST = 2.68; 95% CI = 0.75-9.63). The incidence of CDAD was 3%, 1.3%, and 1.2% in patients who received a PPI, H2RA, and no AST, respectively (4/142 vs 1/70 vs 1/80; OR for PPI vs H2RA = 1.92; 95% CI = 0.21-17.47). Conclusion: This is the first study to describe the incidence of and indications for AST use in the hospitalized hematology/oncology population. There was a high occurrence of AST use, particularly PPIs, in these patients at our institution. Additionally, there was a trend toward an increased risk of HAP and CDAD in patients who received AST during admission.

Emerging Role of Olanzapine for Prevention and Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting.

The prevention and treatment of chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) continues to pose a challenge for clinicians. The development of 5‐hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) antagonists and neurokinin‐1 receptor antagonists (NK1‐RAs) have demonstrated significant improvements in acute and delayed CINV for highly and moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. Delayed and breakthrough CINV, however, continue to be difficult to manage despite available treatment agents. Randomized clinical trial data suggest that olanzapine, a second‐generation thienobenzodiazepine, traditionally used in the treatment of manifestations of psychotic disorders, is an effective agent in these clinical settings. The short‐term use of olanzapine has a favorable adverse event profile and was not associated with grade 3 or 4 toxicity in a phase III study. Olanzapine is recommended as an option within first‐line prophylaxis for CINV in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines and is an option for treatment of refractory CINV in the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/European Society for Medical Oncology and NCCN guidelines.

Development and implementation of a writing program to improve resident authorship rates

PURPOSE The development, implementation, and evaluation of a writing program with a formalized writing project as a component of postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) and postgraduate year 2 (PGY2) pharmacy residencies are described. SUMMARY The writing program at Georgia Regents Medical Center/University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, a collaborative and jointly funded program, was initiated in the 2010-11 residency year. The goals of the program are to teach residents to communicate effectively, apply leadership skills, employ project management skills, and provide medication- and practice- related education and training. The program combines both writing experiences and mentorship. At the beginning of the residency year, trainees are presented with opportunities to participate in both research projects and writing projects. Specifically, opportunities within the writing program include involvement in review articles, case reports, drug information rounds, book chapters, letters to the editor, and high-quality medication-use evaluations for potential publication. The writing project is highly encouraged, and completion of a manuscript to be submitted for publication is expected by graduation. Nine papers were published by 8 of 18 PGY1 and PGY2 residents in the four years before program implementation. A total of 23 publications were published by 18 (72%) of the 25 PGY1 and PGY2 residents in the four years after implementation of the writing program. CONCLUSION Implementation of a formal writing program increased the overall publication rate of residents.

Evaluation of romiplostim for the treatment of secondary failure of platelet recovery among allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients

Secondary failure of platelet recovery (SFPR) is a serious complication observed in approximately 20% of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. Although the standard therapeutic approach has been frequent platelet transfusions, romiplostim, a thrombopoietin receptor agonist, may have utility in treating SFPR. The primary objective of this single-center retrospective analysis was to assess effectiveness of romiplostim for SFPR and to evaluate patient factors which may influence clinical outcomes. The primary outcome measure of response was defined as achievement of platelet count ≥ 50 × 109/L without transfusions for ≥ 7 consecutive days. During the study period, 93 patients underwent HSCT and 13 (13.9%) received romiplostim for SFPR. Seven patients (53.8%) responded to romiplostim, requiring a median of three doses (range 1–6) to achieve independence from platelet transfusions. Disease relapse occurred in 38.5% of all patients, two responders and three nonresponders. Median survival post-HSCT was 753 days among responders and 266 days among nonresponders (p = 0.0375). No serious adverse events were reported, and rates of graft-versus-host disease did not increase following administration of romiplostim. Thrombopoietin receptor agonists including romiplostim offer a treatment option for persistent thrombocytopenia following HSCT. Positive clinical response to romiplostim post-HSCT is associated with improved outcomes.

Clinical and Cost Comparison Evaluation of Inpatient Versus Outpatient Administration of EPOCH-Containing Regimens in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma:

Background: Etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin (EPOCH)-containing regimens are frequently utilized in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, however, the incidence of febrile neutropenia (FN) in patients receiving inpatient versus outpatient EPOCH has not been described. Additionally, no comparisons have been made regarding financial implications of EPOCH administration in either setting. This study’s primary objective was to compare hospital admissions for FN in patients receiving inpatient or outpatient EPOCH. Methods: A single-center, institutional review board-approved review was conducted for adults receiving EPOCH beginning January 2010. Clinical and financial data were collected through chart review and the institution’s financial department. Descriptive statistics were utilized for analysis. Results: A total of 25 patients received 86 cycles of an EPOCH-containing regimen (61 [70.9%] inpatient). Five (8.2%) inpatient cycles resulted in an admission for FN compared to 4 (16%) outpatient cycles. Prophylactic antifungal and antiviral agents were prescribed more often after inpatient cycles (>80%) compared to outpatient cycles (<50%). Overall, 27 (31.4%) of 86 cycles did not receive granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support. Outpatient EPOCH administration was associated with a cost savings of approximately US

Mixed outpatient-inpatient autologous stem cell transplant for multiple myeloma: A cost-saving initiative in a resource constrained environment.

141 116 for both chemotherapy costs and hospital day avoidance. Conclusion: EPOCH-containing regimens can be safely administered in the outpatient setting, which may result in cost savings for healthcare institutions.

Busulfan dosing (Q6 or Q24) with adjusted or actual body weight, does it matter?

Background Although administration of chemotherapy prior to autologous stem cell transplantation in the outpatient setting has been reported as safe and cost-effective, many limitations exist with previously reported methods of transitioning out of the hospital ward. Specifically, lack of a caregiver and distance from treatment facility are key factors particularly in rural settings. Given these limitations, not all institutions have transitioned the transplant process, or even portions of it, to the outpatient setting despite the known benefits. Methods To achieve financial benefit without compromising safety, a novel mixed outpatient–inpatient model was adopted at our institution. Eligible patients receive melphalan in the clinic the day prior to being admitted for peripheral blood stem cell re-infusion where they remain until recovery of myelosuppression. Results In the year since implementation, nineteen total patients received high-dose melphalan prior to autologous stem cell transplantation. Eighteen of these patients successfully received melphalan in the outpatient clinic with admission to the hospital on day zero for infusion of stem cells. No patient experienced any adverse event on the day or evening of chemotherapy or required early admission. The average estimated total reduction in cost per patient to the institution was over US

Fixed-Dose Rasburicase in Overweight and Obese Patients Versus Normal-Weight Patients

2,000. When comparing the cost of the chemotherapy drug, melphalan, from the year before and the year after implementation of the mixed model the total annual cost saving was approximately US

Congestive heart failure during induction with anthracycline-based therapy in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia.

90,00 or 53% of the previous year’s expenditure. Conclusions The implementation of this mixed outpatient–inpatient model was safe, feasible, and cost-effective.

Fosaprepitant for the prevention of nausea and vomiting in patients receiving BEAM or high-dose melphalan before autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant

Background In hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), patients receive individualized treatment planning in conditioning regimens to prevent unwarranted toxicities while maximizing desired outcomes. The dose of a widely studied agent in this setting, busulfan, can be adjusted based on area under the curve (AUC); however, choice of actual body weight (ABW) versus adjusted body weight (DBW) weight to calculate the initial dose may be critical in attaining goal AUC. Objective To determine which weight best correlates with achievement of goal AUC for patients receiving busulfan conditioning for HSCT. Secondary objectives include evaluation of AUC results with clinical outcomes such as toxicity and survival. Methods An institutional review board-approved retrospective analysis was performed on 31 allogeneic HSCT recipients who received intravenous busulfan (Q6H with cyclophosphamide [Bu/Cy] or once daily with fludarabine [Flu/Bu]). Results Eighteen patients received Flu/Bu (50% ABW, 50% DBW) and 13 received Bu/Cy (23% ABW, 77% DBW). Overall, patients dosed by DBW were more likely to undershoot goal AUC (−12.8% vs. +19.5%, p = 0.018) and require dose increases (+20% vs. −19.9%, p = 0.012) versus those dosed by ABW. Subgroup analysis confirmed these results for Bu/Cy (−23.6% vs. +2.2%, p < 0.001 for goal AUC; +36.2% vs. −4.5%, p = 0.008 for busulfan dose increase), but not Flu/Bu (−0.8% vs. +25.3%, p = 0.123 for goal AUC; +3.4% vs. −25.1%, p = 0.174 for busulfan dose increase). Time to engraftment, progression-free survival, and overall survival were not different between dosing groups (p > 0.05). No patient experienced busulfan-related toxicity. Conclusions Further prospective studies are warranted to elucidate which weight is most likely to achieve goal AUC and subsequent optimal patient outcomes.