Adverse effects of antineoplastic drugs – Related resources
05.09.2012 • Sonuncu dəyişiklik 19.08.2010
This article is created and updated by the EBMG Editorial Team
Cochrane reviews
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Three hour paclitaxel infusion appears to cause less side effects than 24 hour infusion. The data on association of infusion length and anti-cancer effects is inconclusive .
- Liposomal-encapsulated doxorubicin appears to be less cardiotoxic than conventional doxorubicin .
- An anthracycline infusion duration of six hours or longer reduces the risk of clinical heart failure .
- Dexraxozane may prevent tissue damage and decrease the need for surgical intervention caused by extravasation of anthracyclines .
- Dexraxozane prevents heart damage in cancer patients receiving anthracycline treatment but it has no effect on overall survival .
- There are several interventions that are at least of some benefit at preventing or reducing the severity of mucositis associated with cancer treatment, e.g. amifostine, antibiotic pastille or paste and hydrolytic enzymes for patients with head and neck cancer, and ice chips for patients undergoing chemotherapy with 5-FU .
- Exercise may have some benefit in the management of fatigue both during and after cancer treatment .
- There is no evidence for or against antibiotics compared to granulocyte colony stimulating factors (G-CSF) for the prevention of infections in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
- Psychosocial interventions during cancer treatment may be effective in reducing fatigue .
- Low level laser treatment seems to be beneficial in reducing the severity of mucositis, although the evidence is insufficient on interventions for oral mucocitis in patients receiving treatment for cancer .
- 5-HT3 antagonists may be more effective than older antiemetic agents in children who are to receive highly emetogenic chemotherapy. The addition of dexamethasone to 5-HT3 antagonists appears to make them even better, although it remains uncertain how the proven benefit of steroid in reducing emesis balances with the in vitro reduction in chemotherapy sensitivity .
Other evidence summaries
- Antifungal prophylaxis appears to reduce all-cause and fungal-related mortality in cancer patients at high risk for fungal infections .
Literature
- Hesketh PJ. Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. N Engl J Med 2008 Jun 5;358(23):2482-94.