Medication contaminants as a potential cause of anaphylaxis to vincristine. Issue 1 (22nd August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hill, David A.; Leahy, Allison Barz; Sciasci, Joseph; O'Neill, Sean P.; Reilly, Anne; Balamuth, Naomi; Seeholzer, Steven H.; Spergel, Jonathan M.; Brown‐Whitehorn, Terri F.
• Is Part Of: Pediatric blood & cancer. Volume 65:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2017-08-22
• Subjects: allergy -- anaphylaxis -- contaminant -- vincristine -- mass spectrometry; Tumors in children -- Periodicals; Blood -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Cancer in children -- Periodicals; 618.92
• DOI: 10.1002/pbc.26761
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1545-5009

Abstract

Abstract: Vincristine (VCR) is a vinca alkaloid and common chemotherapeutic that is used to treat multiple pediatric and adult malignancies. Despite its common use, cases of anaphylaxis to VCR are rare and typically isolated to a single individual. We report a series of eight patients with adverse reactions to VCR over the course of 11 months at a single institution, four of which progressed to anaphylaxis and one of which resulted in cardiac arrest. Mass spectrometry analysis of medication lots was performed to test for possible contaminant(s). Our findings highlight the risk of anaphylaxis during therapy with VCR.