Real-World Experience of Monitoring Practice of Endocrinopathies Associated with the Use of Novel Targeted Therapies among Patients with Solid Tumors

Atika AlHarbi; Majed Alshamrani; Mansoor Khan; Abdelmajid Alnatsheh; Mohammed Aseeri

doi:10.3390/medsci10040065

Real-World Experience of Monitoring Practice of Endocrinopathies Associated with the Use of Novel Targeted Therapies among Patients with Solid Tumors

Med Sci (Basel). 2022 Nov 21;10(4):65. doi: 10.3390/medsci10040065.

Authors

Atika AlHarbi^{1

2}, Majed Alshamrani^{1

2}, Mansoor Khan^{1

2}, Abdelmajid Alnatsheh^{1

2}, Mohammed Aseeri^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pharmaceutical Care Services, Princess Noorah Oncology Center (PNOC), King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs (MNGHA), P.O. Box 9515, Jeddah 21423, Saudi Arabia.
² King Abdullah International Medical Research Center's (KAIMRC), Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Background: Cancer treatments have gradually evolved into targeted molecular therapies characterized by a unique mechanism of action instead of non-specific cytotoxic chemotherapies. However, they have unique safety concerns. For instance, endocrinopathies, which are defined as unfavorable metabolic alterations including thyroid disorders, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and adrenal insufficiency necessitate additional monitoring. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of monitoring errors and develop strategies for monitoring cancer patients who receive targeted therapies.

Method: A retrospective chart review was used to assess the prevalence of monitoring errors of endocrinopathies among cancer patients who received targeted therapies over one year. All of the adult cancer patients diagnosed with a solid tumor who received targeted therapies were included. The primary outcome was to determine the prevalence of monitoring errors of endocrinopathies. The secondary outcomes were to assess the incidences of endocrinopathies and referral practice to endocrinology services.

Results: A total of 128 adult patients with solid tumors were involved. The primary outcome revealed a total of 148 monitoring errors of endocrinopathies. Monitoring errors of the lipid profile and thyroid functions were the most common error types in 94% and 92.6% of the patients treated with novel targeted therapies, respectively. Subsequently, 57% of the monitoring errors in the blood glucose measures were identified. Targeted therapies caused 63 events of endocrinopathies, hyperglycemia in 32% of the patients, thyroid disorders in 15.6% of them and dyslipidemia in 1.5% of the patients.

Conclusion: Our study showed a high prevalence of monitoring errors among the cancer patients who received targeted therapies which led to endocrinopathies. It emphasizes the importance of adhering to monitoring strategies and following up on the appropriate referral process.

Keywords: dyslipidemia; endocrinopathies; hyperglycemia; monitoring errors; targeted therapy; thyroid disorders.

MeSH terms

Adult
Endocrine System Diseases* / chemically induced
Endocrine System Diseases* / drug therapy
Endocrine System Diseases* / epidemiology
Humans
Hyperglycemia* / chemically induced
Hyperglycemia* / diagnosis
Hyperglycemia* / epidemiology
Molecular Targeted Therapy
Neoplasms* / drug therapy
Retrospective Studies

Grants and funding

The authors received no financial support for the project, authorship, and/or publication of this article.