title: Hyaluronidase as an antidote to extravasation of Vinca alkaloids: clinical results.
abstract: Skin necrosis is a recognized potential consequence of an inadvertent extravasation of Vinca alkaloids in the surrounding tissues during i.v. administration. Experimental studies suggest that hyaluronidase, an enzyme that degrades hyaluronic acid and improves the absorption of locally injected drugs, can reduce the risk of progressing to skin necrosis. On this basis, we used this enzyme as a local treatment after extravasations of Vinca alkaloids in seven patients. No patient suffered from subsequent skin necrosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first clinical report confirming the positive findings of experimental studies on the effectiveness of this antidote.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bertelli
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dini
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Forno
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gozza
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Silvestro
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Venturini
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rosso
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pronzato
mesh_terms: D005119:Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D009336:Necrosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D014748:Vinca Alkaloids / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D014748:Vinca Alkaloids; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase