ObjectiveTo suggest the importance of taking notice of oral chemotherapy drugs in cancer patients, and the importance of drug-use evaluation in patients with insufficient kidney functions, by reporting one death case caused by multiple organ failure because of myelosuppression after oral tegafur, gimeracil and oteracil potassium (S-1) capsules for 10 days in a patient with insufficient kidney functions.
MethodsThrough the analysis of one patient who died of multiple organ failure due to degree-Ⅳ myelosuppression and the related literature review, we discussed the necessity of individualized administration of clinical chemotherapy.
ResultsThe patient had grade-Ⅱ renal insufficiency before chemotherapy and did not undergo dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPYD) gene test. Myelosuppression occurred 10 days after oral chemotherapy drugs. The white blood cells, neutrophils and platelets decreased progressively, and then developed into degree-Ⅳ suppression. Finally the patient died of multiple organ failure.
Conclusions Genetic variation and renal insufficiency may cause differences in drug metabolism. The reduced urinary excretion of guimet pyrimidine (CDHP), the inhibitors of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase which is the 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) metabolic enzyme, may lead to elevated plasma concentration of 5-FU, thereby increasing myelosuppression and other adverse reactions. If DPYD gene detection results show low enzyme activity, it can cause lethal toxicity through deceleration of 5-FU metabolism and high concentration of blood. DPYD gene dzetection should be performed if allowed, and individualized treatment plan should be formulated after comprehensive evaluation. The overall situation of the patients should be considered before treatment, and then individualized drugs should be administered.
