PATIENT ACCEPTABILITY AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS OF PHARMACOKINETIC STUDIES IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED CANCER

We have studied the practical implications and acceptability to patien ts of pharmacokinetic studies in 34 women receiving anthracyclines for advanced breast cancer. The following parameters were recorded: age, ECOG performance status, psychological state (Rotterdam Symptom Checkl ist), cytotoxic drug and dose, number of venepunctures for treatment a nd sampling, and time when the sampling cannula was removed. Immediate ly after finishing pharmacokinetic sampling, patients completed a ques tionnaire which revealed that (i) all patients understood sampling was for research, (ii) 35% of patients experienced problems with sampling , (iii) benefits from participation were perceived by 56% of patients. Of 20 patients later questioned after completion of their treatment c ourse, 40% recalled difficulties with blood sampling. Factors identify ing in advance those patients who tolerate pharmacokinetic studies poo rly were not identified but the number of venepunctures should be mini mised. Patients may also perceive benefits from 'non-therapeutic' rese arch.