This is notification that the forty-first issue of the Virtual Journal Club (VJC) is available on the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners (ISOPP) website. To access it, visit the Virtual Journal Club Surveys page or follow the direct link to the survey.
"Assessment of Adherence and Relative Dose Intensity with Oral Chemotherapy in Oncology Clinical Trials at an Academic Medical Center"
Jeff A Engle, Anne M Traynor, Toby C Campbell, Kari B Wisinski, Noelle LoConte, Glenn Liu, George Wilding and Jill M Kolesar
Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice (JOPP) published April 29, 2017
Patients on clinical trials are known to achieve better results from their treatments said to be due to closer surveillance, better initial performance status and fewer comorbidities. In this study of 266 patients enrolled in 17 different trials using oral therapy, the patients were as expected highly adherent (>97% for the first 8 cycles). This is higher than adherence seen in clinical practice and methods to improve adherence in your patients may be found here. Unusually, as well as adherence relative dose intensity (RDI) was reviewed. Worryingly, this was poor with first cycle <90% and declining over time. Progression free and overall survival decrease when RDI reduces by >10%. What does this mean for your patients?
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the issues and importance of adherence and relative dose intensity in oncology clinical trials involving oral chemotherapy;
- Define adherence and relative dose intensity;
- Understand adherence and relative dose intensity to oral chemotherapy achieved in early clinical trials; and
- List factors predicting relative dose intensity in oncology clinical trials.
Accessing JOPP is easy. Log in as a member, go to the JOPP Access page and click the Access JOPP button. You have instant access.
As a reminder, ISOPP's Virtual Journal Club features online articles from the Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice (JOPP). Members are encouraged to read articles and then answer a series of multiple choice questions through the Virtual Journal Club Surveys.
After completing the questionnaire, a certificate will be emailed to you. Although not formally accredited for continuing medical education (CME) points, participation is equal to one hour of CME activity.
Members are also encouraged to use the Member Discussion Forum to stimulate discussion about articles they have read. Your ISOPP membership provides many great benefits and we are hopeful you will find the Virtual Journal Club another asset to your oncology pharmacy practice.