Elevated body mass index does not increase the risk of palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia in patients receiving pegylated liposomal doxorubicin.
OBJECTIVE
The dose-limiting toxicity of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) is palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE). Some physicians are reluctant to use this drug in overweight patients, postulating that larger size increases the likelihood of PPE. We sought to determine whether a correlation exists between body mass index (BMI) and the frequency or severity of skin reactions during PLD chemotherapy.


METHODS
The records of all patients receiving PLD chemotherapy for gynecologic malignancy at our institution were reviewed for chemotherapy history, BMI at start of treatment, dose, infusion time, and adverse outcomes. Skin reaction sites, grade, and treatments were recorded. Possible predisposing factors were extracted, as well as the reason for drug discontinuation.


RESULTS
Over 7 years, 103 patients were treated with PLD for gynecologic malignancies. 429 cycles were given, and PPE occurred in 36% of patients treated. Of those with PPE, reactions were grades 1, 2, or 3 in 54%, 32%, and 14% of patients, respectively. The BMI of patients with PPE (29.0) was not significantly different from that of patients without PPE (28.8). Analysis using finer subsets of weight also revealed no association. Finally, logistic regression revealed no relationship between BMI and rash grade.


CONCLUSIONS
Elevated BMI does not appear to correlate with occurrence of PPE in our population. Of interest, among patients discontinuing PLD due to skin toxicity, 25% had clinical evidence of response. The identification of predisposing risk factors may help guide treatment decisions; however, elevated BMI does not appear to be such a risk factor.
Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Louisville/Brown Cancer Center, 529 South Jackson Street, Louisville, KY 40202, USA. mary.gordinier@louisville.edu
Mary E
ME
Gordinier
Don S
DS
Dizon
Evelyn L
EL
Fleming
Sherry
S
Weitzen
Joanna
J
Schwartz
Lynn P
LP
Parker
C O
CO
Granai
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology*; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D004890:Erythema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005533:Foot Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; C506643:liposomal doxorubicin; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D004317:Doxorubicin