Cancer Treatment Today

Pneumocystis jirovecii, formerly carinii, pneumonia (PCP) poses a life-threatening risk to oncology patients. The use of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) or dapsone prophylaxis virtually eliminates the risk of infection; however, many patients cannot tolerate TMP-SMZ. Pentamidine is available by inhalation or IV. The efficacy of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for prophylaxis against PCP has been clearly demonstrated among pediatric cancer patients.

Sculptra® is approved by the FDA for restoration and/or correction of the signs of facial fat loss, or lipoatrophy, in people with human immunodeficiency virus. Sculptra® is a synthetic, biocompatible material that is injected below the surface of the skin in the area of fat loss. It provides a gradual and significant increase in skin thickness, improving the appearance of folds and sunken areas. In a clinical study, the effects lasted for up to

Pneumocystis carinii(PCP) infection remains a common complication of AIDS. NebuPent is indicated for prophylaxis of Pneumocystis Carinii  infections in HIV positive patients. There is precedent for using this drug or Bactrim for prophylaxis in other immuno-compromised states than AIDS. For example,the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines on prevention and treatment of cancer-related infections consider CLL patients receiving purine

Lymphoid malignancies are often treated with chemo regimens that include intrathecal prophylaxis with cytarabine or methotrexate. DepoCyt® (cytarabine liposome injection) is indicated for the intrathecal treatment of lymphomatous meningitis, not for prophylaxis. While is is a newer formulation of the old drug, cytarabine, it should work whenever cytarabine works. One can look at the situation in one of two ways: 1.Every new formulation of a drug