Reactions 1425 - 27 Oct 2012

SAntineoplastics

Neutropenia, elevated alanine aminotransferaselevels and peripheral neuropathy: 6 case reports

In a retrospective study of 24 lymphoma patients, sixpatients were identified after they developed adverseevents, including neutropenia, elevated ALT levels andperipheral neuropathy, that were associated withantineoplastic treatment [times to onset and someoutcomes not stated].

Four men and two women, aged 29–67 years, werediagnosed with non-conjunctival ocular mucosa-associatedlymphoid tissue-type (MALT) lymphoma. Two patientsreceived CVP chemotherapy for six cycles, consisting of IVcyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2 for more than 30 minuteson day 1, an IV bolus of vincristine 1.4 mg/m2 (maximum2mg) on day 1, and oral prednisone 60 mg/m2 on days 1–5.Another two patients received either three or six cycles ofCHOP chemotherapy, consisting of cyclophosphamide andvincristine as for CVP chemotherapy, IV doxorubicin50 mg/m2 on day 1 and oral prednisone 60mg on days 1–5.The remaining two patients received either six cycles of R-CHOP or eight cycles of R-CVP chemotherapy, for which IVrituximab 375 mg/m2 [frequencies not stated] was added tothe CHOP or CVP regimen, respectively. Treatment cycleswere administered every 3 weeks. Two women developedgrade 3 neutropenia associated with either R-CHOP or CVPchemotherapy. They both recovered without neutropenicfever. Grade 1 ALT level increases occurred in two patientsreceiving either R-CHOP or R-CVP chemotherapy; one ofthese patients had also developed neutropenia. The threeremaining men experienced grade 2 peripheral neuropathyduring either CHOP or CVP treatment. One of thesepatients could not complete his scheduled CHOPchemotherapy, and was switched to radiotherapy.

Author comment: "Toxic effects associated withcombination chemotherapy are hematologic complicationssuch as neutropenia and anemia, and non-hematologiccomplications such as elevated ALT and paresthesia, whichdevelop from alkylating agents."Paik J-S, et al. Ophthalmologic outcomes after chemotherapy and/or radiotherapyin non-conjunctival ocular adnexal MALT lymphoma. Annals of Hematology 91:1393-1401, No. 9, Sep 2012. Available from: URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00277-012-1469-3 - South Korea 803078986

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Reactions 27 Oct 2012 No. 14250114-9954/10/1425-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved