Effectiveness of a Single Fixed Dose of 3 mg Rasburicase for the Prevention and Management of Hyperuricemia in Tumor Lysis Syndrome in Adults With Cancer.

BACKGROUND

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a critical and potentially fatal complication linked to specific types of cancer. Rasburicase stands as a crucial medication necessary for the prevention and treatment of hyperuricemia, a condition commonly associated with TLS. Due to a shortage of rasburicase during the COVID-19 pandemic, a fixed-dose strategy of 3 mg rasburicase was used in many adult cancer patients in our center.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a fixed dose of 3 mg rasburicase in preventing and managing hyperuricemia associated with TLS in adult cancer patients.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective, observational cohort study between March 2020 and February 2022. The study included adult patients who received a fixed dose of 3 mg rasburicase. The primary outcome measure was the reduction in serum uric acid (UA) levels at 24 and 48 hours after treatment, with the aim of achieving and maintaining normal UA levels.

RESULTS

Seventeen patients in the treatment group and 20 patients in the prevention group were included. In the treatment group, 15 (88%) patients had normalization of serum UA, which is considered to be <7 mg/dL (median: 4.48 mg/dL) at 24 hours, and 16 (94%) patients had achieved normal UA at 48 hours (median: 2.78 mg/dL) after receiving the rasburicase dose. In the prevention group, all 20 (100%) patients achieved normal UA at 24 hours after receiving the rasburicase dose.

CONCLUSION

Based on these findings, a single fixed dose of 3 mg rasburicase is effective for preventing and managing hyperuricemia associated with TLS in high-risk patients.