ASH Clinical News January 2016 | Page 54
Mobile Health Apps
Based on his experiences with the SMART app, Dr.
Shah said he believes health-care providers should set
a goal of incorporating mobile app technology to aid in
patient care. “The reality is that patients have issues that
are not well reported and patients do not always seek
prompt medical help when needed,” he said. “The hope is
that this type of app will help.”
Mobile app technology is not a cure-all for patient
non-compliance and non-adherence, though, and it is
not without its downsides. “There is a fear that this would
further distance the patient from the provider team and
there is a fear of managing the disease
remotely. People might ask, ‘Why
do I need to see the doctor when I
have an app and can talk through the
app?’” Dr. Shah said. “Both are valid
concerns, but I think that provider
teams will see the ability apps provide
to have more information and
access to improving patient care as
a strength of mobile technology and
work toward solutions that overcome
these fears.”
later this year, but Dr. Krebs said the JMIR study may
offer some clues into the use of apps among selfreported overweight respondents.
“What we did find is that there was a linear trend
for health-care app use with obesity,” Dr. Krebs noted.
“People are really looking toward apps as the next ‘fix’ for
that one condition.”
There are some notable mobile apps for patients
with lymphoma, aplastic anemia, and myelodysplastic
syndromes (MDS). The Lymphoma Research Foundation,
for instance, has a free “Focus On Lymphoma” mobile
app that provides patients and caregivers content based
on their lymphoma subtype and tools to help manage
their diagnosis and treatment.8
Also, the Aplastic Anemia & MDS International
Foundation (AA&MDSIF) offers their free “Treatment
Tracking Tools” app that enables patients and caregivers
to track medication, therapy reaction, and treatment
progress.9
Both these applications are available for download via
the Google Play Store and the Apple Store.
There are also plenty of health-care apps that
When multiple myeloma relapses
“Mobile apps
have allowed
health-care professionals to obtain information
from smartphones instantly
during patient
encounters.”
—SUSAN DOYLE-LINDRUD, DNP
Mr. Jonassaint said he agreed
that there is great potential for
patient-centered mobile healthcare apps, with important caveats.
“I envision that we will only be
limited by the type of sensors that we
could use in the future to diagnose,
predict, or curtail adverse events,”
he said. “However, we must foster
partnerships and relationships
with people and not technology,
as it is only a complementary tool.
We cannot replace meaningful
therapeutic relationships.”
How Mobile Are Hem/Onc
Apps?
Dr. Krebs and his team are analyzing
data for health-care mobile app
use in people with self-reported
chronic health conditions, such as
cancer (not limited to hematologic
malignancies). They expect to
publish the findings of this analysis
INDICATION
Kyprolis® (carfilzomib) for Injection is a proteasome inhibitor that is indicated in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone for the
treatment of patients with relapsed multiple myeloma who have received one to three prior lines of therapy.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Cardiac Toxicities: New onset or worsening of pre-existing cardiac until resolved or returned to baseline and consider whether to restart
failure (e.g., congestive heart failure, pulmonary edema, decreased
ejection fraction), restrictive cardiomyopathy, myocardial ischemia,
and myocardial infarction including fatalities have occurred following
administration of Kyprolis. Death due to cardiac arrest has occurred
within a day of Kyprolis administration.
• Withhold Kyprolis for Grade 3 or 4 cardiac adverse events until
recovery, and consider whether to restart Kyprolis based on a
benefit/risk assessment.
• Adequate hydration is required prior to each dose in Cycle 1. Monitor
all patients for evidence of volume overload, especially patients at risk
for cardiac failure. Adjust total fluid intake as clinically appropriate
in patients with baseline cardiac failure or who are at risk for
cardiac failure.
• Patients ≥ 75 years, the risk of cardiac failure is increased. Patients
with New York Heart Association Class III and IV heart failure, recent
myocardial infarction, and conduction abnormalities may be at
greater risk for cardiac complications.
Kyprolis based on a benefit/r isk assessment.
Dyspnea: Dyspnea was reported in patients treated with Kyprolis.
Evaluate dyspnea to exclude cardiopulmonary conditions including
cardiac failure and pulmonary syndromes. Stop Kyprolis for Grade 3 or
4 dyspnea until resolved or returned to baseline. Consider whether to
restart Kyprolis based on a benefit/risk assessment.
Hypertension: Hypertension, including hypertensive crisis and
hypertensive emergency, has been observed with Kyprolis. Some of
these events have been fatal. Monitor blood pressure regularly in all
patients. If hypertension cannot be adequately controlled, withhold
Kyprolis and evaluate. Consider whether to restart Kyprolis based on a
benefit/risk assessment.
Venous Thrombosis: Venous thromboembolic events (including
deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) have been observed
with Kyprolis. Thromboprophylaxis is recommended and should be
based on an assessment of the patient’s underlying risks, treatment
regimen, and clinical status.
Acute Renal Failure: Cases of acute renal failure and renal
insufficiency adverse events (renal impairment, acute renal failure,
renal failure) have occurred in patients receiving Kyprolis. Acute renal
failure was reported more frequently in patients with advanced relapsed
and refractory multiple myeloma who received Kyprolis monotherapy.
This risk was greater in patients with a baseline reduced estimated
creatinine clearance. Monitor renal function with regular measurement
of the serum creatinine and/or estimated creatinine clearance. Reduce
or withhold dose as appropriate.
Infusion Reactions: Infusion reactions, including life-threatening
reactions, have occurred in patients receiving Kyprolis. Symptoms
include fever, chills, arthralgia, myalgia, facial flushing, facial edema,
vomiting, weakness, shortness of breath, hypotension, syncope, chest
tightness, or angina. These reactions can occur immediately following
or up to 24 hours after administration of Kyprolis. Premedicate with
dexamethasone to reduce the incidence and severity of infusion
reactions. Inform patients of the risk and of symptoms of an infusion
reaction and to contact a physician immediately if they occur.
Tumor Lysis Syndrome: Cases of Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS),
including fatal outcomes, have occurred in patients receiving Kyprolis.
Patients with multiple myeloma and a high tumor burden should be
considered at greater risk for TLS. Adequate hydration is required prior
to each dose in Cycle 1, and in subsequent cycles as needed. Consider
uric acid lowering drugs in patients at risk for TLS. Monitor for evidence
of TLS during treatment and manage promptly. Withhold Kyprolis until
TLS is resolved.
Thrombocytopenia: Kyprolis causes thrombocytopenia with
recovery to baseline platelet count usually by the start of the next cycle.
Thrombocytopenia was reported in patients receiving Kyprolis. Monitor
platelet counts frequently during treatment with Kyprolis. Reduce or
withhold dose as appropriate.
Hepatic Toxicity and Hepatic Failure: Cases of hepatic failure,
including fatal cases, have been reported during treatment with
Kyprolis. Kyprolis can cause increased serum transaminases. Monitor
liver enzymes regularly. Reduce or withhold dose as appropriate.
Pulmonary Toxicity: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS),
acute respiratory failure, and acute diffuse infiltrative pulmonary
disease such as pneumonitis and interstitial lung disease have Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura/Hemolytic Uremic
occurred in patients receiving Kyprolis. Some events have been fatal. Syndrome (TTP/HUS): Cases of TTP/HUS including fatal outcome
In the event of drug-induced pulmonary toxicity, discontinue Kyprolis. have occurred in patients receiving Kyprolis. Monitor for signs and
symptoms of TTP/HUS. Discontinue Kyprolis if diagnosis is suspected.
Pulmonary Hypertension: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) If the diagnosis of TTP/HUS is excluded, Kyprolis may be restarted. The
was reported in patients treated with Kyprolis. Evaluate with cardiac safety of reinitiating Kyprolis therapy in patients previously experiencing
imaging and/or other tests as indicated. Withhold Kyprolis for PAH TTP/HUS is not known.
Onyx, Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Onyx Pharmaceuticals logo, KYPROLIS, and KYPROLIS logo are all trademarks of Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
©2015 Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., an Amgen Inc. subsidiary, Thousand Oaks, CA USA-KYPR-118488 November 2015 Printed in USA
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