Oncology and Therapy

Laviano, Alessandro; Di Lazzaro Giraldi, Gianluca; Koverech, Angela

2017 Oncology and Therapy

doi: 10.1007/s40487-017-0049-z

In cancer patients, delivery of palliative care during anticancer treatment (i.e., concurrent care) leads to enhanced clinical outcome. Nutrition therapy is part of palliative care and, therefore, should be prescribed to prevent or treat cachexia. Effective nutrition therapy is based on a thorough assessment of weight loss history, eating behaviour, changes in appetite, and the presence of nutrition impact symptoms. By identifying a patient’s needs, the delivery of nutritional care (i.e., counselling, supplements, enteral or parenteral nutrition according to the "maximal use of supportive therapy" approach) has greater likelihood to be highly effective. However, a careful monitoring programme, which includes periodical check of body weight, energy and protein intake, quality of life, ensures constant adaptation of nutritional care to the changing needs of cancer patients. Nutrition therapy is becoming a key component of cancer patients management. In this new role, nutrition therapy is key in allowing cancer patients to receive and complete treatments and in improving quality of life. Whether these effects also translate into longer survival remains to be demonstrated but preliminary results are encouraging.

Guggina, Lauren; Choi, Andrew; Choi, Jennifer

2017 Oncology and Therapy

doi: 10.1007/s40487-017-0050-6

Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs) are increasingly being used for malignancies of epithelial origin. Though these therapies are better tolerated than conventional chemotherapy, they have unique side-effect profiles that are related to their mechanism of action. Given the function of the epidermal growth factor receptor in the skin, nails, and hair, dermatologic side effects are commonly seen with the use of EGFRIs. This review includes a practical approach to recognizing and treating the most common dermatologic side effects seen with EGFRIs, including papulopustular eruptions, nail changes, xerosis and pruritus, hair changes, mucositis, and radiation dermatitis exacerbations.

Dobbs, Thomas; Neal, Giles; Hutchings, Hayley; Whitaker, Iain; Milton, James

2017 Oncology and Therapy

doi: 10.1007/s40487-017-0051-5

Papangelou, Alexander; Olszanski, Anthony J.; Stein, Cy Aaron; Bosch, Bill; Nemeth, Paul

2017 Oncology and Therapy

doi: 10.1007/s40487-017-0054-2

IntroductionAbiraterone acetate (AA) is approved for treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. The originator AA (OAA) formulation has been associated with AUC and Cmax increases of 10- and 17-fold, respectively, when administered following a high-fat meal relative to the fasted state. AA fine particle (AAFP) is a proprietary formulation (utilizing SoluMatrix Fine Particle Technology™) that has enhanced dissolution properties. It was designed to increase the oral bioavailability of AA, and to potentially reduce variability in drug exposure and food effects compared with OAA. In healthy subjects, AAFP 500 mg was previously shown to be bioequivalent to OAA 1000 mg when taken in fasted conditions.MethodsHealthy male subjects (N = 25) fasted 10 h overnight before randomization in a crossover design received a single 500-mg dose of AAFP under fasted or fed conditions.ResultsThe extent of AAFP drug exposure was significantly (P < 0.001) greater under fed versus fasted conditions. Following a single dose of AAFP, relative bioavailability measured by the geometric mean ratio of AUC and Cmax of abiraterone indicated that the extent of drug absorption increased under fed conditions by approximately 4.5- and 6.5-fold, respectively, versus under fasted conditions. AAFP was safe and well-tolerated. AAFP under fed conditions has higher bioavailability and is not bioequivalent to AAFP under fasted conditions. The food effect with AAFP 500 mg was approximately 50% less than what has been reported for OAA 1000 mg.ConclusionsAlthough diminished, the potential for excessive abiraterone plasma concentrations in patients who are noncompliant with dosing instructions remains.FundingChurchill Pharmaceuticals LLC.

Shen, Lin; Sun, Yan; Xu, Jian-Ming; Linn, Carlos; Wang, Qiao; Yang, Li-Qiang; Qin, Shu-Kui

2017 Oncology and Therapy

doi: 10.1007/s40487-017-0052-4

Inomata, Minehiko; Tanaka, Hiroaki; Tokui, Kotaro; Taka, Chihiro; Okazawa, Seisuke; Kambara, Kenta; Imanishi, Shingo; Yamada, Toru; Miwa, Toshiro; Hayashi, Ryuji; Tobe, Kazuyuki

2017 Oncology and Therapy

doi: 10.1007/s40487-017-0053-3