From pre-work

Question 1

Roles of pre-chemotherapy medicines

Answer 1

Prevents occurence and severity of AEs caused by chemotheraphy
Makes chemotherapy more bearable for patients

Question 2

Test before starting with 5-FU and Capecitabine

Answer 2

DPD deficiency - Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency
Makes the S/E from 5-FU and Capecitabine worse as these builds up in the body without DPD enzyme to break them

Question 3

Anti-emetics: Pre-chemo

Answer 3

Dexamethasone
Ondansetron

Question 4

Anti-emetics: Post-chemo

Answer 4

Dexamethasone
Ondansetron
Domperidone

Question 5

Test for suitability of Cetuximab

Answer 5

KRAS mutation test
Mutated KRAS - Cetuximab won’t work as it has a poor response to EGFR-inhibitors
Wild-type KRAS - Cetuximab will work

Question 6

Folinic acid

Answer 6

Leucovorin calcium - active form
Improves binding of 5FU to the enzymes in cancer cells allowing chemotherapy to stay inside the body for a longer time
It decreases toxicity of Methotrexate

Question 7

Grade 1 maculopapular rash from Cetuximab

Answer 7

Continue Cetuximab
Regular emollients
Can give topical corticosteroids - if necessary
Can give antihistamine - if itchy

Question 8

Grade 1 allergic reaction to PEG-asparaginase

Answer 8

Continue PEG-asparaginase at lower dose - closely monitor