Safety aspects of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in patients with cancer

Encapsulation in polyethylene glycol-coated (pegylated; Stealth) liposomes alters the pharmacokinetic characteristics, and hence the safety and tolerability profile, of doxorubicin. Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin administered as a single agent is generally well tolerated. Grade III/IV leucopenia, s...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Drugs (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 1997, Vol.54 Suppl 4, p.30
Main Authors: Alberts, D S, Garcia, D J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antibiotics, Antineoplastic - administration & dosage
Antibiotics, Antineoplastic - adverse effects
Bone Marrow Diseases - chemically induced
Doxorubicin - administration & dosage
Doxorubicin - adverse effects
Drug Carriers
Drug Delivery Systems
Gastrointestinal Diseases - chemically induced
Humans
Liposomes - chemistry
Neoplasms - drug therapy
Polyethylene Glycols
Skin Diseases - chemically induced
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Encapsulation in polyethylene glycol-coated (pegylated; Stealth) liposomes alters the pharmacokinetic characteristics, and hence the safety and tolerability profile, of doxorubicin. Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin administered as a single agent is generally well tolerated. Grade III/IV leucopenia, stomatitis and palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia affected 16, 6 and 18% of solid tumour patients, respectively. Other adverse effects included nausea and vomiting and alopecia. Acute hypersensitivity infusion reactions have been reported in up to 9% of patients in some studies. Recently published data from a phase II trial in patients with refractory ovarian cancer showed no alopecia or cardiotoxicity and little nausea and vomiting after pegylated liposomal doxorubicin. Unlike free doxorubicin, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin is not a vesicant. Preliminary data, not yet confirmed in comparative studies, suggest that the pegylated liposomal formulation may be less cardiotoxic than free doxorubicin. Mucositis, however, appears to be increased. Studies to determine optimal dosing schedules and safety of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in combination with other agents are ongoing.
ISSN:0012-6667
DOI:10.2165/00003495-199700544-00007