Buchsel, P.C., & Murphy, P.J.M. (2008). Polyvinylpyrrolidone-sodium hyaluronate gel (Gelclair®): a bioadherent oral gel for the treatment of oral mucositis and other painful oral lesions. Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism and Toxicology, 4, 1449-1454.
PURPOSE: Review the benefit of polyvinylpyrrolidone-sodium hyaluronate gel (Gelclair) for oral mucositis
RESOURCE TYPE: Expert opinion
PHASE OF CARE: Active treatment
Various uses and mechanism of action of hyaluronic gel (Gelclair) are discussed. Six studies/articles are summarized. Only one article provided any significant findings. One other article related to oral mucositis was a case study. The author suggests that Gelclair may be a useful additional therapy to help with pain caused by oral lesions. It may contribute to improved drinking, eating, and swallowing, and may improve nutritional status and quality of life.
May be effective for pain related to mucositis
A large control trial is needed to increase the strength of recommending Gelclair. Evidence provided here is weak and very limited regarding examination of Gelclair for oral mucositis in patients with cancer.
Buchan, J., Janda, M., Box, R., Schmitz, K., & Hayes, S. (2016). A randomized trial on the effect of exercise mode on breast cancer-related lymphedema. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 48, 1866–1874.
To compare the effects of resistance versus aerobic exercise on lymphedema and fitness in women with breast cancer
Women were randomly assigned to exercise mode. Resistance exercise included a full-body strength training program with a gradual introduction of additional exercises for a total of 12 exercises by week 7. The aerobic group was involved in a range of exercises depending upon preference, such as walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming. Both groups were assigned to 150 minutes of supervised and unsupervised exercise each week at a metabolic equivalent of task (MET) level of 5 in weeks 7–12. Supervised one-on-one exercise sessions were held at the patients’ homes or other selected locations. Assessments were conducted at 12 and 24 weeks.
PHASE OF CARE: Late effects and survivorship
Randomized, two-group trial stratified by lymphedema stage
Ninety-two percent completed at least 75% of exercise sessions. No differences existed between groups or over time in lymphedema or associated symptoms. The aerobic group showed a decline in the number of symptoms at 12 weeks (–1.5 change in score, p = 0.05). Both groups improved upper body strength, and improvements were greater in the resistance exercise group (p < 0.01). Both groups had improved lower body strength and FACT-B measures.
Neither resistance nor aerobic exercise significantly improved objective measures of lymphedema. Both exercise modes were associated with improvement in fitness, strength, and quality of life.
Results from this study did not show that either resistance or aerobic exercise resulted in volume reduction of lymphedema. Both forms of exercise were associated with improved fitness, strength, endurance, and aspects of quality of life. Exercise has been shown not to increase lymphedema in several studies, and although it may not reduce lymphedema volume, it can be beneficial in other aspects. Nurses can educate patients to engage in physical activity and exercise.
Bucaneve, G., Micozzi, A., Menichetti, F., Martino, P., Dionisi, M.S., Martinelli, G., . . . Del Favero, A. (2005). Levofloxacin to prevent bacterial infection in patients with cancer and neutropenia. New England Journal of Medicine, 353, 977–987.
Adult patients with cancer whose chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count [ANC] greater than 1,000) was expected to occur for more than seven days were treated with oral levofloxacin 500 mg or placebo from the start of chemotherapy until the resolution of neutropenia.
Primary endpoint:
Secondary endpoints:
the study was a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial,
The incidence of fever (axillary temperature 38.5°C or higher, or 38°C at least twice during a 12-hour period) was 65% in the levofloxacin prophylaxis group versus 85% in the placebo group (p = 0.001). Microbiologically documented infection occurred in 22% of patients in the levofloxacin group and 39% of patients in the control group (absolute risk reduction 17%, 95% confidence interval [CI] [24, 10], p < 0.001).
In the levofloxacin group, the incidence of bacteremias (risk reduction 16%, 95% CI [22, 9], p < 0.001) and single-agent gram-negative bacteremias (risk reduction of 7%, 95% CI [10, 2], p < 0.01) was lower.
Death from infection occurred in 2.4% of patients in the levofloxacin group and 3.8% of patients in control group (p = 0.36).
The median duration of prophylaxis was 14 days for patients with solid tumors or lymphoma and 25 days for patients with leukemia.
Overall mortality was 3% in the levofloxacin group and 5% in the placebo group (p = 0.15). Infection-related mortality was 2% in the levofloxacin group and 4% in the placebo group (p = 0.36).
Compliance and reported adverse events were similar in both groups.
The prevalence of fluoroquinolone-resistant bacteremias was 41 of 339 (12%) in the levofloxacin group and 32 of 336 (9.5%) in the control group, but this result was not statistically significant.
The total cost of antibiotics per patient was less in the levofloxacin-treated group. The mean cost of antibiotics was €1,953 in the levofloxacin group and €2,841 in the control group.
Most of the patients had hematologic malignancies, so the study supports the use of antibacterial prophylaxis in this population. However, survival advantage with antibiotic prophylaxis was not demonstrated in the study.
There is concern that routine use of antibiotics is associated with an increase in resistant organisms.
The discussion section states that the study provides evidence that prophylaxis is economical because risk of fever is reduced.
Brugnatelli, S., Gattoni, E., Grasso, D., Rossetti, F., Perrone, T., & Danova, M. (2011). Single-dose palonosetron and dexamethasone in preventing nausea and vomiting induced by moderately emetogenic chemotherapy in breast and colorectal cancer patients. Tumori, 97(3), 362–366.
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of palonosetron followed by dexamethasone administered as a single dose for the prevention of vomiting and nausea in patients receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy for breast and colorectal cancer
A bolus dose of 0.25 mg IV palonosetron was given over 30 seconds beginning 30 minutes before chemotherapy, followed by 8 mg IV dexamethasone. Patients were asked to complete diaries to assess antiemetic response during the acute, delayed, and overall phases (days 1–5).
This study was conducted at a single outpatient site in Cinisello Balsamo, Italy.
This was a phase II, open label, nonrandomized prospective study.
Palonosetron followed by dexamethasone in a single administration before chemotherapy to patients with breast or colorectal cancer provides significant protection during the overall phases of chemotherapy. Patients reported high satisfaction with this regimen.
Palonosetron followed by dexamethasone should be considered as premedication on day 1 in moderately emetogenic chemotherapy regimens in patients with breast or colorectal cancer.
Although a complete response was observed in 67% of patients, 33% did not experience complete response. Despite this, the authors stated that this medication regimen adequately controlled CINV during the entire period of emetic risk. Additionally, the 33% of nonresponders does not include high-risk patients who were excluded from this study because of a history of previous nausea and vomiting.
The key takeaway for nurses is that a significant number of patients may require both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic strategies to help them through this time.
Bruera, E., Driver, L., Barnes, E. A., Willey, J., Shen, L., Palmer, J. L., . . . Escalante C. (2003). Patient-controlled methylphenidate for the management of fatigue in patients with advanced cancer: a preliminary report. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 21, 4439–4443.
The study involved patient-controlled administration of immediate-release methylphenidate 5 to 20 mg per day, taken as often as every two hours based on the hypothesis that treatment with a psychostimulant (methylphenidate) would reduce perceived fatigue.
Patients were recruited from a palliative care outpatient clinic or a pain clinic of a large university cancer center.
Unspecified
The study used a single-center pilot study prospective, open-label design; no comparison group was included.
Of the patients, 93% (n = 28) reported improvements in fatigue from baseline to day 7 of study participation (as measured by the fatigue item on the ESAS and FACIT-F). Of the patients, 93% took three or more methylphenidate tablets daily. All patients chose to continue methylphenidate for at least four weeks beyond the initial study period of seven days. The following side effects were reported by two or less participants: restlessness, dizziness, anorexia, skin rash, and self-limited vertigo and tachycardia.
No special training is required to deliver the intervention; the costs are related to drug acquisition.
Bruera, E., Strasser, F., Palmer, J. L., Willey, J., Calder, K., Amyotte, G., & Baracos, V. (2003). Effect of fish oil on appetite and other symptoms in patients with advanced cancer and anorexia/cachexia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 21, 129–134.
Patients were given a daily dose of up to 18 gel capsules, including
The study was conducted at a Canadian acute palliative care unit and the inpatient and outpatient units of a cancer center.
The study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Patients could not take 18 large capsules every day; the mean was 12 per day, with five patients in each group dropping out.
A strong trend was observed toward improved appetite in both groups. With the fish oil group, a trend existed toward less tiredness, but no significant change existed with appetite, weight loss, or calories.
Side effects of fish oil capsules included belching and fish oil taste.
Bruera, E., El Osta, B., Valero, V., Driver, L.C., Pei, B.L., Shen, L., . . . Palmer, J.L. (2007). Donepezil for cancer fatigue: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 25, 3475–3481.
Patients received either donepezil or placebo (5 mg) orally every morning for seven days. A research nurse contacted patients by daily telephone calls to assess symptoms and treatment toxicity. Patients were evaluated at the clinic on day 8. Patients returned for a final assessment on day 15, and those who chose to continue taking donepezil were provided with a two-week supply of the drug. Fatigue outcomes were assessed at baseline, day 8, and day 15.
The donepezil intervention did not show any improvement in fatigue in comparison to the placebo, as no significant difference was seen between groups at baseline and on day 8 for FACIT-F fatigue intensity scores.
Bruera, E., Strasser, F., Shen, L., Palmer, J.L., Willey, J., Driver, L.C., & Burton, A.W. (2003). The effect of donepezil on sedation and other symptoms in patients receiving opioids for cancer pain: A pilot study. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 26, 1049–1054.
Donepezil 5 mg every morning for seven days
Fatigue significantly was improved following a seven-day course of treatment with donepezil. Significant improvement was noted in anxiety, well-being, sleep problems, depression, and anorexia. Pain level was unchanged. Of the initial 27 patients enrolled in the study, 7 patients were discontinued from the study due to cellulitis (1 patient), concern about a possible drug-drug interaction (1 patient), transient arterial hypertension (1 patient), increasing muscle cramps (1 patient), and mild to moderate nausea (3 patients).
Bruera, E., Yennurajalingam, S., Palmer, J.L., Perez-Cruz, P.E., Frisbee-Hume, S., Allo, J.A., . . . Cohen, M.Z. (2013). Methylphenidate and/or a nursing telephone intervention for fatigue in patients with advanced cancer: A randomized, placebo-controlled, phase II trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 31(19), 2421–2427.
Compare the effects of methylphenidate (MP) (psychostimulant) with those of a placebo (PL) on cancer-related fatigue. The effect of a combined intervention including MP plus a nursing telephone intervention (NTI) also was assessed.
Patients with a fatigue score of greater than or equal to 4 out of 10 on the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) randomly were assigned to one of the following four groups: MP plus NTI, PL plus NTI, MP plus control telephone intervention (CTI), and PL plus CTI.
Randomized, controlled trial; placebo controlled
The groups MP alone, NTI alone, or MP plus NTI proved not significantly better than PL for cancer-related fatigue. Anxiety improved with the telephone intervention (p = .01), as did sleep (p < .001).
MP, used alone or in combination with NTI, was not superior to the control group or the PL for fatigue or depression. NTI was associated with improvement in anxiety and sleep.
Although the use of MP did not prove to be effective for cancer-related fatigue, several cancer-related symptoms significantly were improved with NTI. Further research in this area would be ideal, but NTIs remain potentially effective for patient support and education and can have a positive effect on patient experience.
Bruera, E., Sweeney, C., Willey, J., Palmer, J.L., Strasser, F., Morice, R.C., et al. (2003). Randomized controlled trial of supplemental oxygen versus air in cancer patients with dyspnea. Palliative Medicine, 17(8), 659–663.
The objective of the study is to determine the effectiveness of oxygen versus air to decrease dyspnea and fatigue and to increase distance walked during a six-minute walk test.
Oxygen or air was delivered via nasal cannula during a six-minute walk test.
The study reported on a sample of 33 patients.
The study had the following inclusion criteria.
Patients were excluded if they were on oxygen therapy.
Double-blind, randomized, controlled crossover study
Fatigue and dyspnea were evaluated by a visual analog scale (0 = absence of symptoms and 10 = worst possible symptoms). Respiratory rate and heart rate were monitored. The outcomes measured were dyspnea at three and six minutes, fatigue at six minutes, and distance walked. This was repeated when patients received the crossover treatment. Patients and researchers both rated dyspnea. Oxygen saturation was measured at baseline before the crossover and at completion of the study.
No significant differences were noted between the two groups observed. Dyspnea score at three minutes, dyspnea score at six minutes, fatigue score at six minutes, and distance in feet walked at six minutes were not statically significant (p > 0.52). The authors concluded that the routine use of supplemental oxygen for dyspnea during exercise in this patient population cannot be recommended.