Extra Commentary
Prior to ASCO 2013, were you using calcium and magnesium to prevent or mitigate oxaliplatin-induced sensory neuropathy (Loprinzi CL et al. Proc ASCO 2013;Abstract 3501)?
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Steven R Alberts, MD, MPH |
| Chair, Division of Medical Oncology Professor of Oncology Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minnesota |
Before ASCO 2013, I used calcium and magnesium rarely, only for patients who experienced immediate problems with cold-induced sensory neuropathy. So the data from the ASCO study have not affected my practice.
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Al B Benson III, MD |
| Professor of Medicine Associate Director for Clinical Investigations Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University Chicago, Illinois |
I administered calcium and magnesium selectively to alleviate oxaliplatin-induced sensory neuropathy. The findings from ASCO 2013 have changed my practice and I no longer order these agents now.
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Charles S Fuchs, MD, MPH |
| Director Center for Gastrointestinal Cancer Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center Professor of Medicine Harvard Medical School Boston, Massachusetts |
I administered calcium and magnesium occasionally for patients with Grade I oxaliplatin-induced sensory neuropathy or for whom the neuropathy was of great concern.
The presentation at ASCO 2013 certainly changed my practice. I’m not administering it now. I have a few patients who are receiving these agents now. I’ve informed them post-ASCO that the study results show no benefit. None of the patients want to stop it because they believe that it is helping them. I haven’t insisted on patients stopping it, but I will not be starting any patients on this treatment in the future.
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Richard M Goldberg, MD |
| Professor of Medicine Physician-in-Chief, OSUCCC - James Cancer Hospital and Richard J Solove Research Institute Klotz Family Chair in Cancer Research The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio |
I stopped using it several years ago, because my impression was that it did not help patients.
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Axel Grothey, MD |
| Professor of Oncology Department of Medical Oncology Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minnesota |
Prior to ASCO 2013, I occasionally used calcium and magnesium to treat oxaliplatin-induced sensory neuropathy. Following the data from ASCO, I no longer administer these agents.
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Howard S Hochster, MD |
| Associate Director (Clinical Research) Yale Cancer Center Professor of Medicine Yale School of Medicine New Haven, Connecticut |
I administered calcium and magnesium for oxaliplatin-induced sensory neuropathy before ASCO 2013. I no longer use calcium and magnesium after the results from the ASCO study.
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Herbert I Hurwitz, MD |
| Associate Professor of Medicine Division of Hematology/Oncology Clinical Director, Phase I Program Co-leader, GI Oncology Program Duke University Medical Center Durham, North Carolina |
Before ASCO 2013, I was using calcium and magnesium to reduce oxaliplatin-induced sensory neuropathy. Following the results from the ASCO study, I no longer use it.
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Wells A Messersmith, MD |
| Professor and Director GI Medical Oncology Program Co-Leader Developmental Therapeutics Program University of Colorado Cancer Center Aurora, Colorado |
I was administering calcium and magnesium for oxaliplatin-induced sensory neuropathy prior to ASCO 2013.
We eliminated calcium and magnesium from our treatment plan the day after ASCO. We have explained to patients that the study results indicated no difference. We will have to wait to determine if patients experience more sensory neuropathy after stopping it.