Frontiers in Allergy (Feb 2022)

Safe Handling of Antineoplastic Drugs During Allergy Diagnostic Workup and Desensitization: A Single Experience of the Allergy Department in a Tertiary Hospital

  • María Pilar Berges-Gimeno,
  • María Pilar Berges-Gimeno,
  • María Pilar Berges-Gimeno,
  • Cristina Pueyo López,
  • Cristina Pueyo López,
  • Alicia Barra-Castro,
  • Alicia Barra-Castro,
  • Emilio Solano Solares,
  • Emilio Solano Solares,
  • Belén de la Hoz Caballer,
  • Belén de la Hoz Caballer,
  • Belén de la Hoz Caballer,
  • Belén de la Hoz Caballer

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/falgy.2021.787537
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2

Abstract

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The increased use of antineoplastic drugs has been associated with a rising number of hypersensitivity reactions to these drugs, which has led to a growth in the demand for assistance from allergy services. The involvement of an allergist is essential to ensure that these patients with hypersensitivity reactions continue to be able to receive appropriate first-line treatment. Chemotherapy and biological agents have specific handling requirements and all the allergy departments involved in the diagnosis and therapeutic management of patients reacting to these drugs should find the means to guarantee safety. There are currently several guidelines on the safe handling of hazardous drugs for healthcare workers. However, specific recommendations are lacking for reducing occupational exposure in staff working in the allergy departments and managing these drugs for the diagnosis and management of hypersensitivity reactions. This review article focuses on the safe handling strategy of the allergy department in the Ramón y Cajal University Hospital and provides details of its implementation and experience over 10 years. This protocol could improve the knowledge of safe handling of antineoplastic drugs in allergy procedures.

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