We evaluated the possible association between trough linezolid (LZD) concentrations and platelet counts using a dose-response curve with a logit model equation. We demonstrated that trough LZD concentrations correlated with platelet counts. A significant decrease in platelet count was observed in patients with trough LZD concentrations higher than 22.1 μg/ml.

This study retrospectively investigated the clinical features and risk factors of allergic reactions induced by oxaliplatin administration. This study investigated the incidence of allergic reactions and analysed the background and laboratory data in patients with colorectal cancer treated with oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy at Kyushu Medical Center between April 2012 and September 2012. A total of 62 patients were included in this study. The number of patients in the allergic and non-allergic groups was 7 and 55 respectively. The incidence of allergic reactions was 11.3%. We compared the patients' characteristics and laboratory data between the two groups and found that the average dose of dexamethasone in the allergic group was significantly lower than that observed in the non-allergic group (P = 0.0111). Furthermore, the incidence of allergic reactions in the group that received prophylaxis of less than 12 mg of dexamethasone was significantly higher than that observed in the group that received more than 12 mg of dexamethasone (P = 0.0103). In conclusion, a lower dexamethasone dose is a possible risk factor for allergic reactions induced by the administration of oxaliplatin; however, given the retrospective design used in this study, further validation of this finding is warranted.

Based on the results of this study, a value close to the targeted AUC can be obtained in a hemodialysis patient with cancer when carboplatin is administered at a dose determined based on the Calvert formula. These results may be useful to achieve a targeted AUC in hemodialysis patients. A certain amount of carboplatin can be eliminated by performing hemodialysis in an early phase when protein binding ratio is low after transition to the elimination phase to enable stable the concentration.

No abstract

We investigated the pharmacokinetics of gentamicin in a haemodialysis patient treated for endocarditis caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and found that the administration of gentamicin immediately prior to dialysis was a suitable strategy for reaching target maximum drug concentration (Cmax) values and low trough levels.