Streamlined Approach to Detect Harmful Medications in Older Cancer Patients

Recent research confirms the effectiveness of a specialized tool designed to identify potentially harmful medications in older adults undergoing cancer treatment. The study, published in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, evaluated the 'Geriatric Oncology Potentially Inappropriate Medications' scale (GO-PIMS), which is based on the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for Older Adult Oncology. Researchers from the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System in Boston analyzed data from over 380,000 older cancer patients, including those with solid tumors and hematologic malignancies, diagnosed between 2000 and 2022.

The findings revealed that 38% of these patients were prescribed at least one medications flagged by GO-PIMS, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) being the most common. Notably, each additional flagged medication increased the likelihood of frailty at diagnosis by 66%, highlighting the potential impact on patient outcomes. The study underscores the importance of carefully reviewing medication lists to mitigate risks related to frailty, hospitalizations, and mortality.

Dr. Jennifer La, the lead author, emphasized that this tool can enhance patient safety by enabling healthcare providers to identify high-risk medications early in the treatment process. She advocates for integrating GO-PIMS into electronic health records to facilitate routine screening and deprescribing when appropriate. Senior author Dr. Clark DuMontier highlighted that balancing medication benefits and risks tailored to each patient is crucial. The research supports proactive medication management, especially at the point of cancer diagnosis, to improve overall treatment safety.

Furthermore, experts like Dr. Mostafa Mohamed suggest that adopting these tools into everyday clinical practice can significantly reduce medication-related risks. The ultimate goal is to optimize treatment plans by reviewing medication safety and making more informed, individualized decisions for older adults with cancer.

This innovative approach aims to make cancer care safer and more tolerable for the aging population, reducing adverse events associated with unsuitable medications.