Management of hyperuricemia in adults with or at risk of tumor lysis syndrome
Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a relatively common, potentially life-threatening complication of aggressive cytotoxic therapy characterized by metabolite and electrolyte abnormalities (eg, hyperuricemia). To increase the awareness of the risk of hyperuricemia and TLS in adult patients with cancer, who are likely to have age- or lifestyle-related comorbidities, the authors examine the pathophysiology and risk of TLS in adult patients with a broad spectrum of cancer diagnoses. Current recommendations for effective prophylaxis and management of TLS are summarized briefly. Particular emphasis is given to the appropriate role of antihyperuricemic therapy with rasburicase in adults, based on the recent results of a phase III clinical study.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Affiliations: Dr. Seiter is Professor of Medicine and Director of the Leukemia Service at New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Dr. Sarlis is currently Vice President and Head of the Medical Affairs Department at Incyte Corporation, Wilmington, DE. Dr. Kim is Associate Professor and Chief, Section of Head and Neck Medical Oncology, Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
Conflicts of interest: Dr. Sarlis was an employee of sanofi-aventis U.S. at the time this article was written and holds stock options and stock in this company. Drs. Seiter and Kim have no pertinent conflicts of interest to disclose.
Karen P. Seiter, MD,1 Nicholas J. Sarlis, MD, PhD, FACP,2* and Edward S. Kim, MD3
- New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY;
- Medical Affairs–Oncology, sanofi-aventis U.S., Bridgewater, NJ; and
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
