Medicines in exceptional circumstances for solid tumours: focusing on evidence, effectiveness, and toxicity profiles

Objective: To analyse the applications for drugs in special situations (compassionate use, off-label use and foreign drugs) for solid tumours, and to assess the level of evidence supporting these applications, as well as the effectiveness and safety of most frequent drugs. Method: We performed a cross-sectional study of all applications for drugs in special situations during 2018 and 2019 in a representative third-level centre. We collected data about generic names of drugs, clinical indications, and level of evidence provided on the application form. Furthermore, tumour response was assessed according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours version 1.1., Progression Free Survival and Overall Survival. Safety was evaluated with the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 5.0. Results: 2,273 drugs in special situations were approved between January 2018 and December 2019. In 431 cases (19%), they were used to treat solid tumours. Out of 431, 291 (67.5%) applications were off label drugs, 76 (18%) foreign drugs, and 64 (15%) were compassionate use of drugs. Most of them were supported by phase 3 (47%) or phase 2 (33%) clinical trials. The majority of adverse effects were grade 1 and only in 6/67 cases the treatment was discontinued due to toxicity. Conclusions: A significant number of drugs in special situations are prescribed to Oncology patients. The majority of applications of these drugs was supported by clinical trials. The real-life experience showed an effectiveness and tolerance profile similar to those described in randomi-sed clinical trials.