Title:Chemotherapy and Anticancer Drugs Adjustment in Obesity: A Narrative
Review
Volume: 30
Issue: 9
Author(s): João Pedro Thimotheo Batista*, Lucas Alexandre Santos Marzano, Renata Aguiar Menezes Silva, Karla Emília de Sá Rodrigues and Ana Cristina Simões e Silva
Affiliation:
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Investigação Médica (LIIM), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal
de Minas Gerais (UFMG), CEP 30.130-100, Avenida Professor Alfredo Balena, nº190/sl 281, Santa
Efigênia, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
Keywords:
Obesity, pharmacokinetics, cancer chemotherapy, antineoplastics, dose adjustment, body-surface area, pediatrics, actual total body weight, ideal body weight.
Abstract:
Background: Obese individuals have higher rates of cancer incidence and cancer-
related mortality. The worse chemotherapy outcomes observed in this subset of patients
are multifactorial, including the altered physiology in obesity and its impact on
pharmacokinetics, the possible increased risk of underdosing, and treatment-related toxicity.
Aims: The present review aimed to discuss recent data on physiology, providing just an
overall perspective and pharmacokinetic alterations in obesity concerning chemotherapy.
We also reviewed the controversies of dosing adjustment strategies in adult and pediatric
patients, mainly addressing the use of actual total body weight and ideal body weight.
Methods: This narrative review tried to provide the best evidence to support antineoplastic
drug dosing strategies in children, adolescents, and adults.
Results: Cardiovascular, hepatic, and renal alterations of obesity can affect the distribution,
metabolism, and clearance of drugs. Anticancer drugs have a narrow therapeutic
range, and variations in dosing may result in either toxicity or underdosing. Obese patients
are underrepresented in clinical trials that focus on determining recommendations
for chemotherapy dosing and administration in clinical practice. After considering associated
comorbidities, the guidelines recommend that chemotherapy should be dosed according
to body surface area (BSA) calculated with actual total body weight, not an estimate
or ideal weight, especially when the intention of therapy is the cure.
Conclusion: The actual total body weight dosing appears to be a better approach to dosing
anticancer drugs in both adults and children when aiming for curative results, showing
no difference in toxicity and no limitation in treatment outcomes compared to adjusted
doses.