Faculty Collaboration Database

Management of platinum-based chemotherapy-induced acute nausea and vomiting: is there a superior serotonin receptor antagonist? J Oncol Pharm Pract 2007 Jun;13(2):69-75

Date

09/18/2007

Pubmed ID

17873106

DOI

10.1177/1078155207078137

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-34548623153 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   24 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The last decade has witnessed the great impact of 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 receptor (5-HT(3))antagonists in revolutionizing the management of platinum-based chemotherapy-induced acute nausea and vomiting (CINV). However, despite the availability of a variety of 5-HT(3) antagonists, little data is published to support superiority of one drug over another, leaving the choice of serotonin receptor antagonist largely empirical. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network and American Society of Clinical Oncology guidelines for management of chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting cleary endorse the use of serotonin receptor antagonist; however, no single agent is preferred over the rest.

METHODS: Data for patients (n=159) receiving platinum-based chemotherapy regimens were retrospectively collected . Patients getting 5-HT(3) antagonists without steriods or those with known history of brain metastasis, gastroparesis, and intestinal obstruction were not eligible for the study. Patient characteristics including age, gender, primary diagnosis, history of heavy alcohol intake, chemotherapy regimen administered , number of cycles, and Eastern Cooperative Group performance status at the start of therapy were noted. Primary outcome was the complete control of platinum-induced acute nausea and vomiting. Secondary outcome measures included control of > or = grade 1 nausea or vomiting, comparison of two doses of dexamethasone, and antiemetic eficacy among various platinum drugs. National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria version 2.0 was used to assess toxicity.

RESULTS: A total of 126 patients received 369 cycles of platinum-based therapy. Dolasetron ( n=157), granisetron ( n=81), and ondansetron ( n=131) achieved complete control of vomiting in 89.8, 95.5, and 92.3% (p=0.67) of cycles, respectively. Respectively, complete nausea control was observed in 68.1, 75.3 and, 69.4% (p=0.50). Dexamethasone 20 mg was not superior to 10 mg in complete control of nausea and vomiting ( p= 0.15 and p=0.63, respectively). However, complete nausea control was signinficantly better in the subgroup of patients getting cisplatin-compared with carboplatin-based regimens (78.8% vs. 67.7%, p<0.05).

CONCLUSION: No significant difference exists in the antiemetic efficacy of the three 5-HT(3) antagonists studied in controlling CINV when administered in combination with dexamethasone. Choicce of antiemetic regimen should therefore be based on drug cost.

Author List

Hamadani M, Chaudhary L, Awan FT, Khan JK, Kojouri K, Ozer H, Tfayli A

Authors

Lubna N. Chaudhary MD Associate Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Mehdi H. Hamadani MD Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Acute Disease
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Antiemetics
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
Dexamethasone
Female
Granisetron
Humans
Indoles
Male
Middle Aged
Nausea
Neoplasms
Ondansetron
Platinum Compounds
Quinolizines
Retrospective Studies
Serotonin 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists
Vomiting