A survey study of prevention and treatment patterns by academic and community oncologists for cancer therapy-associated diarrhea.

Authors

null

Omkar Subhash Marathe

UCLA-Olive View, Sylmar, CA

Omkar Subhash Marathe , Lina Tang , Robert C Tyler , Mark L Webb , Liping Chen , Chengguang Wu , Wenxi Li , Juegang Ju , Jie Luo , Hong Tang , Nicholas J. Vogelzang

Organizations

UCLA-Olive View, Sylmar, CA, Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China, OnQuality Pharmaceuticals, Seattle, WA, OnQuality Pharmaceuticals, St. Louis, MO, OnQuality Pharmaceuticals, St. Louis, WA, Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV

Research Funding

Pharmaceutical/Biotech Company

Background: Chemotherapy and targeted therapies are associated with GI toxicities including diarrhea that affects 50% to 80% of patients. Severe complications include dehydration, malnutrition, fatigue, renal insufficiency, and systemic infection. There are no specific prevention strategies, and treatment options are limited. Dose reduction or interruption of anti-cancer medications may lead to decreased efficacy. This survey was conducted to assess current toxicity management patterns and gaps for cancer therapy-associated diarrhea. Methods: An online survey (MedSurvey) with 6 eligibility & 15 practice questions was conducted (April 27 to 30, 2021). Fifty (50) practicing oncologists completed the survey. Results: Among the 50 oncologists,82% have been practicing ≥ 11 years with 24% from an academic setting and 76% from a community setting. They (percent of respondents) prescribed the following anti-cancer medications more than 10 times per week: cytotoxic chemotherapy (86%), targeted agents (78%), and immuno-oncology therapies (80%). Prevention of chemotherapy-induced diarrhea (CID) with Imodium (loperamide) and Lomotil (diphenoxylate and atropine) were commonly administered (10% always, 60% sometimes) as prophylactic treatment prior to the start of chemotherapy. The majority (60%) would prophylactically use a novel agent for a patient with previous CID, and 38% would use this agent for selected anti-cancer therapies. Many oncologists (5% always, 60% sometimes) start chemotherapy at a lower dose and titrate up to prevent CID. Similar treatment patterns were observed for targeted therapy induced diarrhea (TTID). For Grade 1 CID (multiple choices allowed), 18% used observation only for management, whereas 72% prescribed Imodium, and 22% used Lomotil. For Grade 1 TTID (multiple choices allowed), 26% used observation only, 58% prescribed Imodium, and 26% used Lomotil. Dose reduction was implemented 10% and 6% of the time for CID and TTID, respectively. For Grade 2 CID (multiple choices allowed) 4% used observation only, most started either Imodium (82%) or Lomotil (72%), and 34% considered dose reduction as a treatment strategy. For Imodium or Lomotil non-responders, 50% would dose reduce, and 44% would use an alternate anti-diarrheal treatment (e.g., octreotide). TTID had similar treatment patterns. For immune-oncology agents (e.g., ipilimumab, nivolumab, pembrolizumab) 40% suggested induced GI toxicities (e.g., diarrhea/colitis) require an innovation for managing toxicity. Conclusions: Treating cancer therapy-associated diarrhea continues to be a significant challenge with Grade 2/3 often requiring a therapeutic dose reduction or interruption that may impact the efficacy of cancer treatment. Effective management (prevention and treatment) for GI toxicity remains an unmet need for many patients.

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2022 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Poster Session C: Cancers of the Colon, Rectum, and Anus

Track

Colorectal Cancer,Anal Cancer

Sub Track

Symptoms, Toxicities, and Whole-Person Care

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2022.40.4_suppl.076

Abstract #

76

Poster Bd #

L4

Abstract Disclosures