Nuances to precision dosing strategies of targeted cancer medicines

Ashley M Hopkins1, Bradley D Menz2, Michael D Wiese3

  • 1College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

Insights

Optimizing targeted cancer drug doses improves patient outcomes. Future studies should integrate exposure, toxicity, and patient preferences for precision dosing strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Oncology
  • Clinical Pharmacy

Background:

  • Individualized dosing of targeted cancer therapies is crucial for maximizing efficacy and minimizing side effects.
  • Current precision dosing strategies often focus on single markers like concentration or toxicity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comprehensively review and compare prospective study options for optimizing targeted cancer medicine doses.
  • To highlight the need for integrated approaches in precision dosing.

Main Methods:

  • Review of prospective studies on dose optimization strategies for targeted cancer therapies.
  • Analysis of commonly used markers for dose adaptation (concentration, toxicity, therapeutic outcomes).

Main Results:

  • Precision initial dose selection for targeted therapies is underexplored.
  • On-therapy dose adaptation frequently relies on single markers, but a multifactorial approach is needed.
  • Optimal outcomes require considering exposure, toxicity, therapeutic results, disease status, treatment duration, and patient preferences.

Conclusions:

  • Current precision dosing strategies for targeted cancer medicines are limited.
  • Future prospective studies must incorporate multiple factors for robust precision dosing strategies.
  • Implementing precision dosing requires a holistic approach considering diverse patient-specific elements.

Related Concept Videos

Dosage Regimen: Individualization01:24

Dosage Regimen: Individualization

Individualization in dosing regimens is the customization of medication doses for individual patients. Its necessity arises from the goal of maximizing therapeutic benefits while minimizing risks. This approach is pivotal because human responses to drugs can vary widely; what is effective for one person may be inadequate or excessive for another. Interpatient (intersubject) variability refers to differences in drug responses between individuals, while intrapatient (intrasubject) variability...
102
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
5.7K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
8.5K
Dosage Regimens: Designs and Approaches01:28

Dosage Regimens: Designs and Approaches

Designing a dosage regimen, which refers to the manner of drug administration, is a complex process involving the selection of drug dose, route, and frequency. This process is underpinned by pharmacokinetic parameters derived from tests and population averages. These parameters are then tailored to patient-specific variables such as diagnosis, demographics, and allergy status. Once therapy commences, therapeutic response monitoring is critical and achieved through clinical and physical...
173
Determination of Multiple Dosing Parameters: Loading and Maintenance Doses01:25

Determination of Multiple Dosing Parameters: Loading and Maintenance Doses

A loading dose is an essential pharmacological strategy to rapidly achieve the target plasma drug concentration necessary for an immediate therapeutic effect. This approach is especially critical for drugs characterized by slow absorption or extended half-lives, where delaying therapeutic plasma levels could compromise treatment outcomes. By administering a loading dose, clinicians ensure a prompt onset of drug action, even for agents with complex pharmacokinetic profiles.Achieving steady-state...
116
Dose Size and Dosing Frequency: Determination Methods01:21

Dose Size and Dosing Frequency: Determination Methods

Determining the optimal dose size and dosing frequency in pharmacotherapy is crucial for achieving therapeutic effectiveness while minimizing adverse effects. This article explores the methodologies employed in determining these parameters, focusing on their significance and interplay to tailor dosing regimens.Dose Size: Dose size refers to the amount of a drug administered in a single dose. It is determined based on the drug's pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics properties and...
150