1391PACUTE INFUSIONAL REACTIONS TO CHEMOTHERAPY IN AN OUTPATIENT UNIT: EXPERIENCE FROM 21,394 TREATMENT CYCLES IN BRAZIL

ABSTRACT Aim: Acute infusional reactions (AIRs) to cancer systemic treatments can occur in varying degrees of frequency and severity, according to the administered drug. We aim to study the frequency and to characterize AIRs in a large Chemotherapy Unit in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Methods: We evaluated and prospectively followed AIRs in patients (pts) with solid tumors treated with intravenous cytotoxic chemotherapies and/or monoclonal antibodies in our Cancer Center from May 15th to October 15th 2013. These therapies were administered following standard guidelines regarding AIR-prophylaxis. AIR was defined as any new sign or symptom during the infusion of above mentioned agents, or any other event treatment-related, in the first 8 hours after therapy. Results: 21,394 chemotherapy infusions were adminstered, and 186 AIRs (0.86%) in 149 pts were diagnosed. Median age was 55 y.o. (24-86), 73% (110 pts) were female and 169 AIRs (91%) occured in patients ECOG-PS 0-1. Breast was the most frequent primary site (62 episodes, 33%) and in 95 episodes (51%) chemotherapy was administered in pts with metastatic disease. Among those pts who presented any AIR, median body mass index was 25.7 kg/m2, median hemoglobin was 12.1 g/dL and median lymphocyte count was 1650 cells/mm3. AIRs were associated to the following agents (>5%): Paclitaxel (39%), Docetaxel (23%), Irinotecan (7,5%) and Oxaliplatin (7,5%). 28 pts had >1 AIRs, being 20 with 2 AIRs, 7 with 3 AIRs and 1 with 4 AIRs. Common signs and symptoms included rash (55%), dyspnea (31%) and back pain (11%). There were 3 episodes of severe reactions (1.6% of all AIRs), leading to definitive treatment interruptions. No AIRs-related deaths were observed. Conclusions: Since AIRs were rare (0.86%) and severe AIRs were extremely uncommon (1.6% of all AIRs) with adequate prophylaxis, no changes in current protocols seem required. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.