Oncology (Chemo Agents) Flashcards
Pediatric Treatment Principles (3)
- Curative if at all possible
- Get more Chemo than adults
- Prevent long term complications
Dosing for anti-neoplastic agents
BSA is the standard for individualized based dosing
Mosteller Equation*****
Mosteller Equation
BSA = (ht*wt)/3600
ALL UNDER Sq root
ht = cm wt = kg
Other options for dose adjustments (4)
mg/m2 Units/m2 g/m2 Weight (kg) is sometimes used o Often used in children < 1 year of age
Corticosteroids (3)
Prednisone
Dexamethasone
Methylprednisone
Corticosteroids MOA
promotes decrease in lymphocytic cell lines
One of the mainstays, especially in Leukemia
Corticosteroids Side Effects (6)
Symptoms resolve by…
- Hyperglycemia: May even require insulin while they are on the steroids
- Fluid retention, facial swelling
- Increased appetite (helps with nausea during induction)
- Hypertension – Watch BP
- Mood changes: Especially in children; children can get very cranky on steroids
- Risk of GI ulcers
Symptoms typically resolve once treatment stops (typical duration of therapy is about 50 days)
Corticosteroids Special Considerations
Patients should be on acid suppression with a proton pump inhibitor or H2 receptor antagonist to protect against ulcers
Corticosteroids - tx of side effects (2)
Monitor blood pressure
Monitor blood sugar
Corticosteroids
What steroid is better at penetrating the spinal fluid?
Dexamethasone penetrates spinal fluid tissue better than prednisone
Choice of steroid however depends on the protocol
Alkylating Agents (4) MOA
Cell cycle
Highly reactive compounds
MOA - forms covalent (tight) bonds within DNA which leads to interference in cell replication
Cell cycle non-specific: Good thing
Common alkylating agents used in Pediatrics (3)
Cyclophosfamide
Ifosfamide
Busulfan
Used in pediatrics but more for bone marrow transplant conditioning
Less Commonly Used Alkylating agents in pediatrics (2)
o Decarbizine
o Temozolamide
Cyclophosfamide (Alkylating Agent)
Activated where?
Prodrug, must be activated in the liver to the active compound (CYP2B6 to 4-HC)
Cyclophosfamide (Alkylating Agent) Dosage forms (2)
IV doses used for cancers
PO used for other indications (FDA improved for minimal change disease in children)
Cyclophosfamide (Alkylating Agent) Side Effects (7)
- Hemorrhagic cystitis (high doses require treatment with mesna): Leads to severe bleeding
- Myelosupression: Since these agents cause bone marrow suppression, other non-cancer rapidly diving cells (ex: bone marrow, epithelial cells) will be affected
- N/V (acute and delayed)
- SIADH (Syndrome of Inappropriate Anti Diuretic Hormones)
- Nasal stuffiness (decreases with infusing at least over 1 hr)
- Pulmonary and cardiotoxicity
- Alopecia