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Background: No standard criteria for dose reduction exists for high-dose melphalan for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for multiple myeloma (MM) due to limited and conflicting evidence., Objective: To evaluate efficacy and safety of standard dose (200 mg/m 2 = Mel200) versus reduced dose 140 mg/m 2 = Mel140) of melphalan in patients with MM undergoing ASCT., Design: A single-center retrospective review of adults with MM for their first ASCT between January 1, 2010, and November 1, 2022, who received Mel200 or Mel140 as conditioning. Primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary safety and efficacy endpoints included overall survival (OS), incidence of febrile neutropenia and acute kidney injury, and time to engraftment. Subgroup analyses were performed based on patient age and renal function., Results: A total of 322 patients were included in the study, 240 in the Mel200 group and 82 in the Mel140 group. Baseline demographics were similar except patients receiving Mel140 were on average older and had worse kidney function. PFS at 2 years was not different between groups (P = .2335). No difference existed in 2 year PFS or OS for patients < 65 years of age versus ≥ 65 years of age or for patients with CrCl 30-59 mL/min versus CrCl ≥ 60 mL/min within either Mel200 group or Mel140 group (all P > .05). No differences existed between groups across all secondary outcomes., Conclusion: Reduced doses melphalan showed no differences in safety or efficacy outcomes versus standard dose even when analyzed based on age and renal function. Larger randomized controlled trials need to be performed to validate these findings., Competing Interests: Disclosure Drs Keruakous, Brown, Scott, Clemmons, Sadek, Jillella, and Clarke have no relevant disclosures., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To examine the impact of a critical care pharmacy elective (CCPE) on student performance in other courses in the Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum that emphasize clinical reasoning and decision making., Methods: This is a retrospective, cohort study including all students from the 2019-2021 graduating classes enrolled in required courses, Pharmacotherapy and Integrated Patient Cases (IPCs). Students were divided for comparison based on completion of the CCPE. The primary outcome was outstanding performance, defined by a final course grade ≥90%, in Pharmacotherapy and IPC. Baseline characteristics and outcomes were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the χ 2 test or two-sided t test for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Binary logistic regression models were constructed to identify variables associated with the primary outcome., Results: Of 377 students included, 129 (34%) completed the CCPE. Baseline characteristics were similar between both groups, except more females completed the CCPE. Students that completed the CCPE were not more likely to demonstrate outstanding performance in Pharmacotherapy III (20% vs 30%) or Pharmacotherapy IV (27% vs 24%), but were more likely in IPC (34% vs 23%). In the adjusted analysis, CCPE students were almost twice as likely to exhibit outstanding performance in IPC., Conclusion: Students that completed the CCPE were more likely to demonstrate outstanding performance in IPC, but not in either of the Pharmacotherapy courses. Students may benefit from practicing clinical reasoning earlier in the curriculum to build-up to effective and efficient clinical decision-making. Implications of course structure on student performance should be further explored., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To determine the impact of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) treatment duration on CDI recurrence in hematology/oncology patients receiving concurrent non-CDI antibiotics., Patients and Methods: This multi-site, retrospective study examined hematology/oncology patients age ≥18 years hospitalized with active CDI who received ≥1 dose of concurrent non-CDI antibiotics between September 2013 and June 2019. All patients were classified by two definitions for statistical analysis: standard (10-14 days) versus prolonged (>14 days) duration of CDI treatment and non-extended (≤24 hours after stopping non-CDI antibiotics) versus extended (>24 hours after stopping non-CDI antibiotics) CDI treatment. Primary outcome was CDI recurrence within 180 days of completing CDI treatment. Secondary outcomes included hospital length of stay (LOS) as well as mortality and incidence of vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) infections at 180 days., Results: Of the 198 patients included, 112 were classified as prolonged versus 86 standard duration and 138 were classified as extended versus 60 non-extended duration. After accounting for demographic differences, no difference existed in the primary outcome of CDI recurrence in either prolonged versus standard or extended versus non-extended analysis (all p > 0.05). Patients who received prolonged versus standard CDI treatment had longer LOS (p < 0.0001) while no difference existed in extended versus non-extended (p > 0.05). No difference in mortality existed in prolonged versus standard (p > 0.05) while those who received extended versus non-extended CDI treatment had significantly lower mortality (p = 0.0008)., Conclusions: Neither prolonging CDI treatment beyond standard duration nor extending duration beyond end of non-CDI antibiotics was associated with decreased CDI recurrence rate.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematologic malignancy characterized by proliferation of plasma cells with or without production of monoclonal immunoglobulins. Management of patients with MM begins with induction therapy, typically a proteasome inhibitor (PI) with dexamethasone and an immunomodulator (IMID), followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in eligible patients. Although various treatments are available, MM is considered incurable, and patients with progression after multiple treatment lines, including CD38 monoclonal antibodies, have a median overall survival of 8.6 months. Belantamab mafodotin-blmf (Blenrep) is a first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate directed against B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) that obtained U.S. Food and Drug Administration accelerated approval in August 2020 for patients with multiply relapsed/refractory MM. This article provides information on the mechanism of action, efficacy, safety, monitoring, and current place in therapy for belantamab mafodotin-blmf., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (© 2022 Harborside™.)

Benefit of follow-up blood cultures (FUBC) in cancer patients with gram-negative bacteremia (GNB) is unknown. Multicenter, retrospective review was performed in adult cancer patients with GNB between January and December 2018. Primary outcome was FUBC incidence. Chi-square, t-tests/Wilcoxon rank-sum, and bivariate regression (logistic/Poisson) analyses compared secondary outcomes (catheter removal, ID consultation, antibiotic duration, length stay, mortality) between patients with versus without FUBC. Of 52 patients with GNB, majority (35/52; 67%) received ≥1 FUBC (mean per patient 3.6, SD 4.3, range 0-29). Majority FUBC had no growth (157/173; 90.8%). Rates of catheter removal and ID consultation were similar between groups (P > 0.05). Patients with FUBC had greater LOS (mean 21 vs 15 days; coefficient = 0.31, CI 0.17-0.45), longer duration of antibiotics (mean 13 vs 11 days, coefficient 0.19, P = 0.013), but no mortality difference (P = 1). FUBC are frequently performed yet infrequently positive in cancer patients with GNB, but were associated with increased LOS and antibiotic duration., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest CMB is on the speaker's bureau for Merck Pharmaceuticals. He has served as a consultant for Merck Pharmaceuticals and biomerieux, Inc. He has received grant funding from ALK Abello, Inc. and Merck Pharmaceuticals. None of the other authors have any disclosures., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: High-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) requires urine alkalinization to pH ≥ 7 for adequate excretion to prevent toxicity. Due to shortages of IV sodium bicarbonate (IV-NaHCO3), few reports have demonstrated utility of oral bicarbonate (PO-NaHCO3); however, the addition of acetazolamide (Acet) has not been well described. Our study compares outcomes between alkalinization methods of IV-NaHCO3 monotherapy versus IV-NaHCO2 + Acet and PO-NaHCO3 + Acet., Methods: A single-center, IRB exempt, retrospective review was conducted from Jan 2016 to Sept 2019 of adults receiving HD-MTX ≥ 500 mg/m 2 . The primary outcome was time from start of alkalinization to pH ≥ 7. Secondary outcomes included time from start of alkalinization to initiation of HD-MTX, time to MTX clearance, length of stay (LOS), percentage of urine pH assessments < 7, and incidence of MTX toxicity. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS9.4 with alpha 0.05., Results: Overall demographics (n = 196 HD-MTX cycles for 55 patients) include a mean age 55 years, HD-MTX dose ~ 5400 mg/m 2 , and 69% with a diagnosis of lymphoma. Adjusting for baseline demographic differences among groups, median time from first dose alkalinization to pH ≥ 7 and to start of HD-MTX was longer for those receiving IV-NaHCO3 (n = 41) vs either IV-NaHCO3 + Acet (n = 70) or PO-NaHCO3 + Acet (n = 76) (p = 0.0001). HD-MTX clearance to a level < 0.1 μmol/L was not improved with the addition of Acet. No difference existed among groups for pH results < 7, LOS, or incidence of MTX toxicity (p > 0.05)., Conclusions: Addition of Acet to NaHCO3 reduces time to pH ≥ 7 and initiation of HD-MTX but does not appear to improve LOS, MTX toxicities, or time to MTX clearance.

Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Objectives: The emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors has transformed treatment paradigms for various malignancies. Patients with cancer are at increased risk of complications and hospitalizations from influenza; therefore, it is recommended that they receive inactivated influenza vaccination. However, efficacy and safety of inactivated influenza vaccination in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors is uncertain. The objective of this prospective case series was to evaluate the incidence of immune-mediated adverse events (imAEs) following inactivated influenza vaccination in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors. Changes in cytokine and chemokine levels were also evaluated., Methods: Patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors during the 2017-2018 influenza season were eligible for study participation. Peripheral blood samples were collected prior to administration of inactivated influenza vaccine and two post-vaccination time points. Evaluation of new or worsening imAEs occurred via patient questionnaire and review of medical records for 60 days following inactivated influenza vaccination. Baseline imAEs were evaluated from review of medical records for 60 days prior to inactivated influenza vaccination. Serum cytokines and chemokines were measured using a multiplex Luminex assay., Results: Twenty-four patients were enrolled in this study. Seven patients experienced any grade imAE (one patient having 2) within 60 days following inactivated influenza vaccination. The majority were Grades 1-2, including rash ( n  = 3), hypothyroidism, myalgia, and colitis ( n  = 1 each). Two patients experienced severe imAEs (grade 3 nephritis and grade 4 diabetes). No significant changes ( p  > 0.05) in serum cytokine or chemokine concentrations were observed., Conclusions: Although small, our study suggests that inactivated influenza vaccine may be safely administered to patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors. The majority of imAEs following inactivated influenza vaccination were Grades 1-2 and did not require changes in immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

Background: Patients immediately post-hematopoietic cell transplantation are at high risk for bacteremia. Judicious prophylactic antimicrobial utilization must balance anticipated benefits (reduction infections) versus risk (bacterial resistance, Clostridium difficile) ., Objective: To compare infectious outcomes (primary: incidence bacteremia; secondary: febrile neutropenia, C. difficile, susceptibility of bacteremia, time to discharge and 30-day mortality) between hematopoietic cell transplantation who received fluoroquinolone prophylaxis to those who did not., Methods: A local institutional review board-approved retrospective study was conducted on all hematopoietic cell transplantation patients ( n = 171) comparing those who received fluoroquinolone prophylaxis ( n = 105) to those who did not ( n = 66). Data included infectious outcomes and mortality for the first 30 days post-hematopoietic cell transplantation. Chi-squared was performed for categorical variables (GraphPad Software Inc., 2015). Secondary analysis compared outcomes within autologous and allogeneic sub-groups., Results: Bacteremia was significantly lower for the overall cohort receiving fluoroquinolone (median duration eight days) versus those without fluoroquinolone (15.2% vs. 31.8%; P < 0.01). No difference was seen in C. difficile infection ( P = 0.81) or 30-day mortality (2.9% vs. 4.5%; P = 0.67). In the autologous sub-group ( n = 115), bacteremia was significantly lower in the fluoroquinolone cohort (8.5% vs. 27.3%; P = 0.0069), while no differences were seen in C. difficile infection ( P = 1) or 30-day mortality ( P = 1). In the allogeneic sub-group ( n = 56), there was no difference between those with and without fluoroquinolone in bacteremia (29.4% vs. 40.9%; P = 0.4) or C. difficile ( P = 0.72); however, there was a trend toward improved 30-day mortality (2.9% vs. 9.1%; P = 0.55)., Conclusions: Fluoroquinolone prophylaxis reduces incidence of bacteremia in autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation without increasing C. difficile after hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Evidence supports olanzapine for prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting (CINV) for highly emetogenic chemotherapy; however, most studies focus on solid malignancies and single-day regimens. A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to compare the addition of olanzapine to triplet therapy (fosaprepitant, ondansetron, dexamethasone [FOND-O]) versus triplet therapy alone (FOND) in preventing CINV in hematology patients receiving single-day and multiple-day highly emetogenic chemotherapy and hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) regimens (NCT02635984). The primary objective of this study was to compare complete response (CR; no emesis and minimal nausea, <25 mm on a 100-mm visual analog scale) during the overall assessment period (chemotherapy days plus 5 days after). Secondary objectives were the number of emesis, number of rescue medications, percent achieving minimal nausea, and percent achieving complete protection (CP; no emesis, rescue antiemetic, or significant nausea), all of which are reported as acute (chemotherapy days), delayed (5 days after chemotherapy), and overall phases. Olanzapine 10 mg or matching placebo were given on each chemotherapy day and 3 days after. Adults with hematologic malignancy receiving HCT regimens of melphalan, BEAM (carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine, melphalan), busulfan (Bu)/cyclophosphamide (Cy), Bu/fludarabine (Flu), Bu/melphalan, FluCy, FluCy-total body irradiation (TBI), etoposide-TBI, and ICE (ifosfamide, carboplatin, etoposide) or 7+3 chemotherapy regimens were included. An estimated 98 patients were required using alpha = .05 and 80% power. No significant differences existed in baseline characteristics between FOND-O (n = 51) and FOND (n = 50) arms. Mean duration of olanzapine was 7.7 days (range, 4 to 11). Discontinuation for possible adverse events occurred in 3 placebo and 0 olanzapine patients. CR was significantly higher for FOND-O in overall (55% versus 26%, P = .003) and delayed (60.8% versus 30%, P = .001) but not acute (P = .13) phases. Significantly more patients receiving FOND-O achieved no more than minimal nausea in overall (P = .001) and delayed phases (P = .0002), as well as fewer overall mean emesis counts (P = .005). CP rates were not different in any assessment phase (P ≥ .05 each). Within the HCT subgroup (n = 64), the CR, CP, and no significant nausea rates were significantly better for FONDO-O in overall and delayed phases (all P < .05). Analysis within the HCT subgroup revealed significant improvement in outcomes in delayed and overall phases with FOND-O in the autologous but not allogeneic cohort. Addition of olanzapine to an NK-1-based triplet antiemetic regimen significantly improved clinically relevant outcomes in the HCT population., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Purpose: Hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients often require intravenous (IV) magnesium repletion due to poor dietary intake, gastrointestinal loss, and use of concomitant magnesium wasting medications. Prolonging the IV magnesium infusion rate has been postulated to reduce renal clearance and improve retention; however, limited evidence supports this hypothesis., Methods: We reviewed autologous and allogeneic HCT recipients (n = 82) who received IV magnesium at our institution between 2014 and 2016: 41 patients received IV magnesium at a prolonged rate of 0.5 g/h and 41 patients at > 0.5 g/h (mean 2.07 g/h). Primary outcome was percent of days in which magnesium levels were in desired therapeutic range (2-2.7 mg/dL) during hospitalization., Results: Baseline characteristics were similar between cohorts: no difference existed between groups in incidence of gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease or the percentage of patients who received magnesium replacement in maintenance fluids, received concomitant oral magnesium supplementation, or received parenteral nutrition. Percent of days in desired therapeutic range was not different between groups (p = 0.3). No difference existed between groups with respect to total amount of IV magnesium repletion (22.5 vs. 21.4 g, p = 0.81) or number of days of IV replacement (7.2 vs. 6.2 days, p = 0.41). In terms of safety, there was no difference between groups with respect to incidence of hypomagnesemia or hypermagnesemia (p = 0.43 each)., Conclusions: Overall, prolonging the infusion rate did not correlate with improved magnesium retention based on amount and frequency of magnesium repletion or attainment of goal levels in HCT patients.

Pharmacists are increasingly recognized as an essential member of the multidisciplinary team for hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) patients. However, until recently, their educational background, required training, and potential roles have not been well described. Therefore, the purpose of this manuscript is to provide supporting evidence for the HCT Clinical Pharmacist Role Description, which has been endorsed by several organizations including the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. This document provides justification for the various roles pharmacists fulfill with respect to medication management, transitions of care, patient and provider education, policy development, quality improvement, and research. Furthermore, evidence supporting the value, financially and otherwise, HCT pharmacists provide is reviewed. Pharmacists in the HCT setting are encouraged to report on novel practice models and potential impact of their services to increase awareness and utilization of HCT pharmacists., (Copyright © 2018 The American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Empiric antimicrobials are frequently utilized in the pre-engraftment phase after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Recent evidence suggests an increased risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) from combination of vancomycin with piperacillin/tazobactam; however, this has not specifically been evaluated in the HCT population. A single-center, retrospective review was conducted from 2011 to 2017 on 110 autologous and 60 allogeneic HCT patients with the primary objective of comparing incidence of AKI for those who received vancomycin with piperacillin/tazobactam versus vancomycin with cefepime in the pre-engraftment phase. Demographics and outcomes were compared for all patients who received vancomycin with piperacillin/tazobactam versus vancomycin with cefepime as well as within the autologous and allogeneic subgroups. The primary endpoint of incidence of AKI, defined as increase in serum creatinine by .3 mg/dL or >50% from baseline (whichever was larger), was significantly higher for those who received vancomycin with piperacillin/tazobactam versus cefepime for the overall cohort (68% versus 27%; P < .001) resulting in an odds ratio (OR) of 5.16 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.5 to 10.5) when adjusting for hypotension. Results were similar within the autologous (59% versus 22%; P < .001; OR, 4.63; 95% CI, 1.85 to 11.6) and allogeneic (79% versus 39%; P= .0021; OR, 5.41; 95% CI, 1.60 to 18.3) subgroups. Within the overall cohort between those who received vancomycin with piperacillin/tazobactam versus cefepime the time to onset of AKI was more commonly within 48 hours of concomitant antimicrobial use (53% versus 26%; P= .012), whereas resolution of AKI by discharge date was not different (39% versus 26%; P= .23). No difference in percentage of patients requiring at least 1 session of dialysis, duration of hospital stay, or 30-day mortality was found between overall cohorts. Further studies of HCT patients are warranted to fully elucidate the risk of various combination antimicrobial regimens on renal outcomes., (Copyright © 2018 The American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

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$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.

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$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$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.

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.

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., (© The Author(s) 2016.)

Purpose: To assess the impact of single-dose fosaprepitant on nausea and emesis after BEAM and high-dose melphalan conditioning regimens for autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation., Methods: In a single-center cohort study patients receiving melphalan containing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation regimens who received a one-time dose of 150 mg IV fosaprepitant (n = 56) were compared to a historical control (n = 70)., Results: The primary endpoint of no emesis from melphalan administration through five days afterward was 80% for the fosaprepitant group versus 66% in the control group (p = 0.068). Addition of fosaprepitant demonstrated significant improvement in emetic episodes per patient during the entire assessment period (p = 0.011) and days 1-5 after melphalan (p = 0.045). Fosaprepitant resulted in no substantial nausea during the entire assessment period in 37% of high-dose melphalan patients and 57% of BEAM patients., Conclusions: Further studies are suggested to investigate the optimal number and timing of doses of fosaprepitant in this setting., (© The Author(s) 2015.)

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., (© 2016 Pharmacotherapy Publications, Inc.)

Background: Complete remission (CR) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is defined as having ≤5% leukemic blast cells in the bone marrow and return of normal hematopoiesis after the first induction cycle. There is a subset of patients, however, who achieve reduction of leukemic blast cells with a subnormal platelet count, designated as CR with incomplete platelet recovery (platelet count, ≤100,000/mcL; normal, 150,000-450,000/mcL), which is associated with inferior outcomes when compared with CR. Furthermore, there is another subset of patients with CR but superior platelet counts (≥400,000/mcL) whose prognostic significance is unclear., Objective: To establish whether CR with superior platelet counts is associated with better outcomes and can be used as a separate entity for prognostication., Methods: A retrospective chart review of 104 cases of AML was conducted. The highest platelet count during days 25-35 from initiation of induction chemotherapy (designated as day 30 platelet count) was documented. A multivariate analysis for other factors such as age, sex, risk categories, day 14+ plasma cell count (average plasma cell percentage at days 14-21), infections, allogeneic bone marrow transplant, and remission status was done., Results: Day 30 platelet count was found to be an independent predictor of survival in AML. On the multivariate analysis, the subgroup with superior platelet counts (≥400,000/mcL) was found to be associated with better outcomes., Limitations: Results need to be validated in a larger cohort., Conclusions: CR with superior platelet recovery (≥400,000/mcL) is a unique subcategory in itself and has prognostic significance. This may help better assess response to chemotherapeutic agents and aid in further decision-making regarding treatment., (©2016 Frontline Medical Communications.)

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., (© The Author(s) 2014.)

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., (Copyright © 2015 by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Fixed-dose rasburicase (FDR) is common practice in treating hyperuricemia associated with tumor lysis syndrome in adults; however, there is a lack of data regarding the effectiveness of this dosing strategy specifically in the overweight and obese patient populations., Objective: To determine if patient weight per body mass index (BMI) category is associated with failure of initial FDR as defined by the need for additional dose(s) based on a uric acid level (UAL) ≥7.5 mg/dL within 10 days of previous rasburicase administration., Method: Adults who received FDR per institutional guidelines from October 2008 to August 2013 were reviewed. Patients had either a baseline UAL ≥7.5 mg/dL or were considered high risk (leukemia or lymphoma diagnosis with white blood cell count >50 000/mm 3 or lactate dehydrogenase level greater than 2 times the upper limit of normal). Patients were stratified by BMI as underweight (<18.5), normal (18.5-24.9), overweight (25-29.9), or obese (30+)., Result: Overall, 12 out of 151 patients who received FDR required a repeat dose of rasburicase. The percentage of patients requiring a repeat rasburicase dose was not different between obese/overweight versus normal/underweight patients (8.7% vs 6.4%, P = 0.75). Similarly, there was no difference between obese alone versus normal/underweight patients (12.3% vs 6.4%; P = 0.51)., Conclusion: In this retrospective analysis, patient BMI did not correlate with failure of FDR in adults, suggesting that this dosing strategy is efficacious in the adult population., (© The Author(s) 2014.)