Three organizations have joined together to provide oncologists with recommendations for how to treat patients with gynecologic cancers in light of current chemotherapy shortages.
The recommendations, which pertain to the shortages of cisplatin, carboplatin, and methotrexate, were released by the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO), the Foundation for Women’s Cancer (FWC), and the GOG Foundation (GOG-F).
To deal with the shortages of cisplatin and carboplatin specifically, the organizations recommend minimizing the ordering of non-essential platinum drugs.
SGO, FWC, and GOG-F also recommend increasing the interval between cycles to reduce the total platinum dose when clinically acceptable, and rounding doses down to the nearest vial size if feasible.
If the shortages become more critical, the organizations recommend reserving carboplatin and cisplatin for curative-intent treatment or for patients who will likely derive a prolonged clinical benefit.
The organizations also recommend that oncologists consult with pharmacist colleagues to determine their health care system’s current supply of platinum agents, communicate with other local providers about drug availability, and consider referrals for patients if appropriate.
SGO, FWC, and GOG-F have released specific recommendations for treating patients with cervical, vulvar, vaginal, ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancers, as well as patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia and patients on clinical trials.
These recommendations have been endorsed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, which has released its own recommendations for gastrointestinal cancers and plans to release additional recommendations for other cancers.
References
- Chemotherapy drug shortage. Society of Gynecologic Oncology. Accessed June 10, 2023.
- SGO statement: Carboplatin and cisplatin shortages. Society of Gynecologic Oncology. Published April 21, 2023. Accessed June 10, 2023.
- SGO, FWC, and GOG-F* communique: Considerations when treating cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancers in the setting of cisplatin and carboplatin shortages. Society of Gynecologic Oncology. Published May 1, 2023. Accessed June 10, 2023.
- SGO, FWC, and GOG-F* communique: Considerations when treating persons with ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancers in the setting of cisplatin and carboplatin shortages. Society of Gynecologic Oncology. Published May 24, 2023. Accessed June 10, 2023.
- SGO, FWC, and GOG-F* communique: Considerations when treating gestational trophoblastic neoplasia in the setting of a methotrexate shortage. Society of Gynecologic Oncology. Published May 11, 2023. Accessed June 10, 2023.
- SGO, FWC, GOG-F* communique: Considerations when treating patients with gynecologic cancers on clinical trials in the setting of chemotherapy shortages. Society of Gynecologic Oncology. Published May 15, 2023. Accessed June 10, 2023.
- Clinical guidance. Drug shortages. American Society of Clinical Oncology. Accessed June 10, 2023.
This article was published by: Cancer Therapy Advisor