Association and correlation of different chemotherapeutic regimens and doses with onset and severity of anemia among solid cancer patients.
BACKGROUND
Anemia is considered as one of the most frequent hematological demonstration of malignant diseases, which lead to momentous impairment in every tissues and organs of cancer patients and put them under serious stress. This major problem may arise because of the underlining diseases (i.e., cancer diseases) or radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatment received. This present study tries to find the association between anemia onset and severity with different chemotherapeutics regimens used in the treatment of several solid cancers and to find the association of anemia onset and severity with different doses of these chemotherapeutics drugs.


METHODS
This retrospective observational study was conducted in Penang General Hospital on 534 anemic solid cancer patients who were admitted between 2003 and 2009. The main statistical tests used were Chi-square test and Logistic regression test for categorical data. While for continues data the main statistical tests were Linear regression and correlation test. The significance of the result will be when the P<0.05, while the confidence interval for this study was 95%.


RESULTS
FEC, 5-FU+5-FU, Docetaxel and Cisplatin+ 5-FU regimen has strong association and correlation with anemia onset and severity. However the associations and correlations with anemia severity were stronger than those with the onset. Different doses of 5-FU, cyclophosphamide, docetaxel and cisplatin play a critical role in anemia onset and severity.


CONCLUSIONS
Monitoring and determination of hemoglobin levels for cancer patients treated with FEC, 5-FU+5-FU, Docetaxel, Cisplatin+ 5-FU specifically with high doses must be emphasized and a focus of particular attention.
Clinical Pharmacy Discipline, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia. bassamsunny@yahoo.com
Bassam Abdul Rasool
BA
Hassan
Zuraidah Binti Mohd
ZB
Yusoff
Mohamed Azmi
MA
Hassali
Saad Bin
SB
Othman
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D010880:Piperidines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011725:Pyridines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D043823:Taxoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
D006454:Hemoglobins; C102682:N-(2-(4-(2-(2'-fluoroethoxy)phenyl)-1-piperazinyl)ethyl)-N-(2-pyridinyl)cyclohexane carboxamide; D010880:Piperidines; D011725:Pyridines; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil