Chemotherapy-Induced Toxicities and Their Associations with Clinical and Non-Clinical Factors among Breast Cancer Patients in Vietnam

• Published in: Current oncology (Toronto) 2022-10, Vol.29 (11), p.8269-8284
• Main Authors: Nguyen, Sang M, Pham, Anh T, Nguyen, Lan M, Cai, Hui, Tran, Thuan V, Shu, Xiao-Ou, Tran, Huong T T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antineoplastic Agents - adverse effects; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - therapeutic use; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - drug therapy; Cancer; Cancer patients; Care and treatment; Chemotherapy; chemotherapy-induced toxicity; Female; Health aspects; Humans; Oncology, Experimental; Patient compliance; Prospective Studies; Vietnam; Vietnam - epidemiology
• ISSN: 1718-7729; 1198-0052; 1718-7729
• DOI: 10.3390/curroncol29110653

Understanding the burden and factors related to chemotherapy-induced toxicity is important in treatment planning for breast cancer patients. We conducted a prospective study among 396 newly diagnosed and chemotherapy-treated breast cancer patients recruited in two major cancer hospitals in northern Vietnam. Toxicities were captured through medical chart reviews and patient self-reports and graded using NCI CTCAE classification. Associations for sociodemographic and clinical factors with chemotherapy-induced toxicities during first-line chemotherapy were evaluated via multivariable logistic regression. Severe (i.e., grade ≥ 3) hematological (38.6%), and gastrointestinal (12.9%) toxicities were common. A pre-existing nephrological condition was significantly associated with the risk of severe hematological toxicity with adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of 2.30 (1.32-4.01). Patients living in rural areas had a lower risk of severe hematological toxicity (OR = 0.48; 95% CI, 0.30-0.77). Patients diagnosed with stage II and stage III-IV had a lower risk of severe gastrointestinal toxicity with ORs and 95% CIs of 0.26 (0.12-0.59) and 0.47 (0.20-1.10), respectively. Triple-negative/basal-like subtype was associated with a higher risk of severe hematological (OR = 3.15; 95% CI, 1.56-6.34) and gastrointestinal toxicities (OR = 3.60; 95% CI, 1.45-8.95) comparing to hormone receptor (HR)-positive HER2-negative subtype. Further research investigating underlying mechanisms would facilitate the development and delivery of personalized treatment and care plans.