Vancomycin - Cancer Science

What is Vancomycin?

Vancomycin is a powerful antibiotic commonly used to treat serious bacterial infections that are resistant to other antibiotics. It is often reserved for severe infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

How is Vancomycin Administered?

Vancomycin can be administered intravenously (IV) for systemic infections or orally for infections within the gastrointestinal tract, such as Clostridioides difficile. The IV form is more relevant in the context of cancer patients.

Why is Vancomycin Important in Cancer Care?

Cancer patients often have compromised immune systems due to the disease itself or as a side effect of treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This makes them particularly vulnerable to infections. Vancomycin is crucial for treating severe bacterial infections in these immunocompromised patients.

What are the Risks Associated with Vancomycin in Cancer Patients?

While effective, vancomycin has notable side effects. Common issues include nephrotoxicity, which can damage the kidneys, and ototoxicity, which can impair hearing. Cancer patients often have preexisting conditions or are on other medications that may exacerbate these risks.

How is Vancomycin Dosing Managed in Cancer Patients?

Dosing of vancomycin requires careful monitoring, particularly in cancer patients. Factors such as kidney function, age, and the presence of other medications must be considered. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is often employed to ensure optimal dosing while minimizing toxicity.

Are There Any Drug Interactions to be Aware of?

Yes, vancomycin can interact with other medications commonly used in cancer care. For instance, concomitant use with other nephrotoxic drugs can increase the risk of kidney damage. Physicians must carefully review all medications a cancer patient is taking to avoid harmful interactions.

What is the Future of Vancomycin Use in Cancer Care?

Research into antibiotic resistance and new formulations of vancomycin is ongoing. Innovations such as liposomal vancomycin may offer improved efficacy and reduced side effects. Additionally, the development of new antibiotics and combination therapies may provide more options for treating infections in cancer patients.

Relevant Publications

Perioperative Infection Prophylaxis with Vancomycin is a Significant Risk Factor for Deep Surgical Site Infection in Spine Surgery.

Issue Release: 2024

Gut colonization with multidrug resistant organisms in the intensive care unit: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Issue Release: 2024

[Molecular characteristics and drug susceptibility analysis of from respiratory specimen sources].

Issue Release: 2024

Multidrug resistance profile in Lactobacillus delbrueckii: a food industry species with probiotic properties.

Issue Release: 2024

The CssRS two-component system of Bacillus subtilis contributes to teicoplanin and polymyxin B response.

Issue Release: 2024

Identification of Enterococcus spp. from food sources by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry and characterization of virulence factors, antibiotic resistance, and biofilm formation.

Issue Release: 2024

Exploring real-world vancomycin target attainment in neonatal intensive care in the context of Staphylococcal infections: a retrospective observational cohort study.

Issue Release: 2024

Current Trends in Antimicrobial Resistance of ESKAPEEc Pathogens from Bloodstream Infections - Experience of a Tertiary Care Centre in North India.

Issue Release: 2024

Severe pneumonia with pleural effusion caused by co-infection of Paecilomyces variotii and Penicillium oxalicum in a diabetic patient.

Issue Release: 2024

Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of mecA - positive oxacillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients with bloodstream infection in a tertiary hospital in Southern Brazil.

Issue Release: 2024

High-dose vancomycin spacers provided early recovery without nephrotoxicity compared with standard-dose in MRSA-induced periprosthetic joint infection model of rats.

Issue Release: 2024

Impact of a 20 mg/kg vancomycin loading dose on early AUC target attainment.

Issue Release: 2024

Corneal ulceration following periocular scorpion sting: a case report.

Issue Release: 2024

Unraveling host-pathogen dynamics in a murine Model of septic peritonitis induced by vancomycin-resistant .

Issue Release: 2024

Analysis of Differences in Neonatal Sepsis Caused by Streptococcus Agalactiae and Escherichia Coli.

Issue Release: 2024

Metagenomic investigation of antibiotic resistance genes and resistant bacteria contamination in pharmaceutical plant sites in China.

Issue Release: 2024

Characterization of spp. as Probiotic and Antidiabetic Potential Isolated from Boza, Traditional Fermented Beverage in Turkey.

Issue Release: 2024

Antibiotic Resistance Profiles and MLST Typing of Clone Associated with Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in a Hospital of China.

Issue Release: 2024

Do High Doses of Multiple Antibiotics Loaded into Bone Cement Spacers Improve the Success Rate in Staphylococcal Periprosthetic Joint Infection When Rifampicin Cannot Be Employed?

Issue Release: 2024

Antibacterial Properties of Peptide and Protein Fractions from Mucus.

Issue Release: 2024

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