Ever wonder how the BCG (Bacillus Calmette–Guérin) vaccine works against bladder cancer?🤔
BCG vaccine➡️approved for the tx of bladder cancer in 1990⌛️
✅Main intravesical agent shown to⬇️risk of progression of non-muscle invasive to muscle-invasive disease (>platinum chemo!)🤯
So, how does a vaccine for MYCOBACTERIUM work for bladder cancer!?🤨(dont worry, I was making the same confused face you are! Let me explain it to you!)
BCG=attenuated live strain of Mycobacterium🦠 bovis (which interestingly is related to the bacteria that causes tuberculosis)
It is administered by DIRECT instillation into the bladder and the mycobacterium outer membrane binds to a substance (Fibronectin) that is ALSO found within the urothelium.
The BCG mycobacterium components are internalized into the urothelial cells and the innate immune system activates a “war zone”⚠️ of inflammatory cells to fight off the attenuated mycobacterium while ALSO fighting the tumor cells the BCG invaded! (How cool!🤯)
Last week I had one of my final presentations of the year! With a catchy title😉
Urine for an Update! Updates in the management of metastatic urothelial cancer
Hold your bladders, this is an extensive update! 😂 #oncopharm
Bladder cancer can be divided into two ✌️subtypes: 1) Non-muscle invasive: encompasses in-situ and localized disease➡️5-yr OS >70%
2) Muscle invasive: encompasses regional or metastatic disease➡️5-yr OS dismal especially for metastatic disease 😔
Cisplatin=SOC
50% of pts w are ineligible due to older age👵🏻, poor PS, ⬇️ renal function, ⬇️hearing, neuropathy, heart failure 🫀& other comorbities that ⬆️ risk of ⚠️
Carboplatin yields inferior responses➡️NOT 🙅🏻♀️ an equal alternative due to ⬇️ OS😢➡️pt left w/minimal tx options
What medications 💊 are should be avoided 🛑 or used with caution ⚠️ in patients with Myasthenia Gravis? 🤔
See 👀 the thread 🧵below⤵️ that summarizes an amazing grand rounds presentation by @UKPharmRes PGY1 @AliW_PharmD on key 🔑 medication considerations in MG
1️⃣Antibiotics to avoid or use w/caution🦠 💊
🛑FQs = FDA BBW for ⤴️ risk of MG crisis ➡️ avoid use if possible
⚠️ Macrolides ⤴️ rate of MG crisis (case reports)
⚠️ AG linked to ⤴️ ICU acquired weakness & exacerbate ‼️ MG crisis
📝Risk⬆️ w/neomycin vs. tobramycin & amikacin
Antibiotics considered to be SAFE alternatives to the above include
✅Beta-lactams
✅Tetracyclines
✅Linezolid
✅Bactrim
Ex. In an MG patient who presents 🏥 w/CAP 🫁 ➡️ choose ceftriaxone + doxycycline✅ OVER ceftriaxone + azithromycin🛑