NCCN Updates Guidelines for Cancer-Related Infections with H1N1 Reference

Strategic Insights -

Infectious diseases remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer, with the malignancy itself often predisposing patients to severe or recurrent infections. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has recognized the importance of providing the latest information on treating these infections and has developed the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer-Related Infections. The guidelines were recently updated to include information on the effect of the H1N1 virus, also known as "swine flu," on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer treatment-related infections.

Key Takeaways:

  • The updated NCCN Guidelines include a reference to the H1N1 virus, which may have a different effect on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer treatment-related infections compared to more common strains of influenza and viruses.
  • Certain tests and antiviral treatments that are effective in more common strains of influenza and viruses may not be applicable to the H1N1 strain, according to the NCCN Guidelines.
  • The guidelines now include the addition of doripenem (Doribax) to the Antibacterial Agents Tables and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Viread) to the Antiviral Agents Tables.
  • The NCCN Guidelines are developed and updated through an evidence-based process with explicit review of the scientific evidence integrated with expert judgment by multidisciplinary panels of physicians from NCCN Member Institutions.
  • The guidelines characterize the major categories of immunologic deficits in persons with cancer and the major pathogens to which they are susceptible, providing specific recommendations on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the major common and opportunistic infections that afflict patients with cancer.

Statistics:

  • 21 NCCN Member Institutions are involved in the development and implementation of the NCCN guidelines.
  • The NCCN Guidelines are available for free at NCCN.org.
  • The H1N1 virus, also known as "swine flu," has a different effect on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer treatment-related infections compared to more common strains of influenza and viruses.
  • Certain tests and antiviral treatments that are effective in more common strains of influenza and viruses may not be applicable to the H1N1 strain.
  • The NCCN Member Institutions include 21 of the world's leading cancer centers.

Sources:

  • [PRNewswire-USNewswire] PR Newswire-USNewswire, Infectious diseases are important causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer (Aug. 5).
  • NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer-Related Infections. National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
  • About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. National Comprehensive Cancer Network.