title: Authorising bortezomib treatment prior to reviewing haematology results: a step toward home administration.
abstract: Bortezomib treatment requires four visits to a chemotherapy unit in each 21-day cycle. Analysis of the Day 1 full blood count could allow clinicians to predict the risk of Grade 4 thrombocytopenia, thus negating the need to review the full blood count prior to each dose. The freedom to administer bortezomib without reviewing full blood count results on each treatment day could minimise appointment times and be a step toward home administration. A prospective study of treatment authorisation following a full toxicity assessment and full blood count results from the previous treatment day was undertaken. The full blood count results from 27 patients, receiving 381 doses revealed 12 treatment episodes where bortezomib was administered in the presence of Grade 4 thrombocytopenia. One instance of bleeding and two episodes of neutropenic sepsis were detected during toxicity assessments and treatment was not administered. Only one instance of Grade 4 thrombocytopenia was reported on any other treatment day when the Day 1 platelet count was greater than 75 × 10(9) units/l. From this data, Day 1 full blood count parameters were derived, which minimise the risk of Grade 4 haematological toxicity on subsequent treatment days, allowing clinicians to identify suitable patients for administration of bortezomib prior to reviewing full blood count results. When platelet counts on Day 1 are greater than 75 × 10(9) units/l and neutrophil counts are greater than 1.0 × 10(9) units/l, the administration of bortezomib can be authorised without the need for review of the full blood count on subsequent days of that cycle.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Department, Victoria Hospital Kirkcaldy, NHS Fife, UK clint.waight@nhs.net.
authors.forename: Clinton C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Waight
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Department, Victoria Hospital Kirkcaldy, NHS Fife, UK.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cain
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001897:Boronic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000069286:Bortezomib; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010976:Platelet Count; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D061988:Proteasome Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011719:Pyrazines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012606:Scotland; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001897:Boronic Acids; D061988:Proteasome Inhibitors; D011719:Pyrazines; D000069286:Bortezomib
keywords: Bortezomib; full blood count; home administration; thrombocytopenia; toxicity assessment