Aprepitant: a novel antiemetic for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of aprepitant in the prevention of acute and delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE and PubMed database searches were conducted from 1966 to May 2004 using the following search terms: aprepitant, Emend, substance P, neurokinin-1, chemotherapy, nausea, vomiting, L-754,030, and MK-869. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Large, randomized Phase II and III clinical trials examining the use of aprepitant for CINV, as well as all published drug interaction studies with aprepitant, were included and reviewed. Data lacking in published trials were supplemented with the manufacturer product information. DATA SYNTHESIS: The pharmacokinetics of aprepitant are favorable for once-daily oral dosing. Based on the results of published clinical trials, aprepitant appears to augment the effects of corticosteroids and 5-HT3 antagonists when given prior to highly emetogenic chemotherapy, including cisplatin. Aprepitant appears to have the most benefit in the prevention of delayed CINV and in preventing emesis rather than nausea. Data in pediatric patients, patients undergoing stem-cell transplantation, and those receiving multiple-day or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy are lacking. Common adverse effects are limited to hiccups, asthenia, and diarrhea. More serious but rare adverse effects include neutropenia. Because aprepitant is a CYP3A4 substrate, a 3A4 inhibitor and inducer, and a 2C9 inducer, close monitoring for drug interactions is warranted. CONCLUSIONS: Triple antiemetic therapy with aprepitant, a corticosteroid, and a 5-HT3 antagonist appears to provide improved efficacy in the prevention of emesis in patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy. Due to its novel mechanism of action and demonstrated efficacy in this combination, aprepitant should be considered for formulary addition.     

Olanzapine for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a systematic review

Purpose

Newer drugs incorporated in prophylactic regimens for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) have resulted in significantly reduced rates of this feared complication of cytotoxic chemotherapy. However, both delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and breakthrough CINV remain difficult areas of management and require novel treatment strategies. Recent randomized trial evidence has suggested that olanzapine, an atypical antipsychotic, may have a role in both the prevention and treatment of CINV. A systematic review was conducted to assess the efficacy of olanzapine in (a) preventing CINV in highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC) and moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC) and (b) the treatment of breakthrough CINV. The toxicity of olanzapine in this setting was also reviewed.

Methods

MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews databases were searched to identify all randomized clinical trials (RCTs) investigating olanzapine in patients receiving chemotherapy.

Results

A total of 488 patients from three trials of CINV prophylaxis and 323 patients from three trials of breakthrough CINV were included. Regimens including olanzapine were associated with significant improvements in CINV prevention with both HEC and MEC. Single agent olanzapine for breakthrough nausea was superior to standard alternative options.

Conclusion

Data from RCTs support the use of an olanzapine containing combination regimen as an option for CINV prophylaxis and single agent olanzapine for the treatment of breakthrough CINV. In the included trials, the short duration of olanzapine appears safe and well tolerated.     

Palonosetron for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in glioblastoma patients treated with temozolomide: a phase II study

Purpose  

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is a side effect related to administration of the adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ) in patients affected by glioblastoma. After chemoradiotherapy, adjuvant TMZ is administered as an oral multiple-day regimen, and TMZ-associated CINV may interfere with the continuation of chemotherapy, with potentially negative consequences on clinical efficacy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of palonosetron for prevention of CINV-induced by adjuvant TMZ.     

Non-pharmacological management for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with cancer: a scoping review

Objective: This review aimed to map and summarize published studies that tested non-pharmacological management for chemotherapyinduced nausea and vomiting(CINV). Methods: We searched for eligible studies in 5 electronic databases and screened the retrieved studies using the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were then collated according to the types of interventions, measurement tool, and outcomes. Results: The search yielded 2343 records, of which 11 were included. Four categories of non-ph...     

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in daily clinical practice: a community hospital-based study

Background  

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) are major adverse effects of cancer chemotherapy. This study investigated: (1) the impact of CINV on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQL) in daily clinical practice; (2) the association between patient characteristics and type of antiemetics and CINV; and (3) the role of CINV in physicians' decisions to modify antiemetic treatment.     

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation as an adjunct for controlling chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in gynecologic oncology patients.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy of a miniaturized portable transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit (ReliefBand) as an adjunct to standard antiemetic therapy for controlling nausea and vomiting induced by cisplatin-based chemotherapy in gynecologic oncology patients. METHODS: Forty-two patients were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-subjects trial with a follow-up crossover trial. All patients received a standardized antiemetic protocol, then wore the ReliefBand continuously for 7 days. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were evaluable for the parallel-subjects component, 16 in each group. The percentage of patients with absent or minimal nausea was 59% overall, which was similar to that for both the active (56%) and placebo (62%) groups. The incidence and severity of nausea and vomiting was similar for each group. Eighteen patients completed two consecutive cycles and were evaluable for the crossover component. The average age of the crossover patients and their dose intensity were comparable with those of the overall study population (56.3 versus 58.6 years and 22.7 versus 22.7 mg/m2/week, respectively). The percentage of cycles with absent or minimal nausea was 47% overall, which was similar to that of the active (50%) and placebo (44%) cycles. However, the severity of nausea was significantly lower in the active cycles during days 2 to 4. Patients averaged less than one episode of vomiting daily in each cycle. CONCLUSIONS: The ReliefBand is an effective adjunct to standard antiemetic agents for controlling nausea induced by cisplatin-based chemotherapy in gynecologic oncology patients.     

Optimizing treatment outcomes in patients at risk for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting

Prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is crucial in maximizing patients' quality of life and optimizing outcomes of cancer therapy, and can be done more effectively than ever before. Appropriate antiemetic therapy combined with targeted patient education, clear communication, and management of patient expectations results in optimal emetogenic control. Oncology nurses play a critical role in the prevention and management of CINV. This column reviews the history and pathophysiology of treatments for CINV, as well as patient- and chemotherapy-specific risk factors that should be considered to optimize treatment outcomes in patients with CINV.     

穴位按压缓解胃肠道肿瘤化疗患者恶心呕吐的效果观察

目的探讨穴位按压对缓解胃肠道肿瘤化疗患者恶心、呕吐的效果。方法对78例胃肠道恶性肿瘤患者化疗期间进行内关穴按压,用中文版恶心呕吐干呕症状评估量表评估患者化疗后出现的恶心、呕吐和干呕症状。结果统计分析显示,穴位按压对缓解化疗患者恶心、呕吐等不良反应有一定效果,且具有统计学意义(P0.01)。结论穴位按压能有效地降低患者恶心、呕吐的发生频率,缩短经历时间及减轻症状的严重程度,提高患者对化疗的耐受性,减轻痛苦。     

一种化疗所致恶心呕吐的防护尺装置制作与临床应用

目的 探讨一种化疗所致恶心呕吐的防护尺装置的制作与应用效果。方法选择2020年1月-2021年6月在复旦大学附属中山医院肿瘤内科化疗患者150例为研究对象,采用随机数字表将患者随机分为观察组和对照组各75例。对照组和观察组入院时均进行营养评定量表(PG-SGA)评分,两组患者存在营养不良差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）,针对PG-SGA评分≥4分的患者均给予营养干预。对照组给予我院化疗所致恶心呕吐护理常规,观察组教会患者使用防护尺装置进行CINV评估记录,并选择芳香物质气味卡来缓解恶心呕吐症状。评价两组患者恶心呕吐的发生率,两组方法的操作简单、取用便捷、是否缓解症状、可接受度及便于保存。结果 化疗前观察组的恶心发生率高于对照组,化疗后观察组的恶心、呕吐发生率明显低于对照组,差异存在统计学意义（P＜0.05）;化疗后观察组的呕吐发生率及I级、II级、III级的发生比例明显低于对照组,差异存在统计学意义（P＜0.05）;防护尺装置在操作简单、取用便捷、缓解症状、可接受度及便于保存方面比较差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论 一种化疗所致恶心呕吐的防护尺装置结构简单,增加患者使用时的便捷性,帮助患者缓解不适症状,且易于接受和保存。     

Effect of acupressure on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in gynecologic cancer patients in Turkey

PurposeThe aim of the current study was to assess the effect of acupressure applied to the pericardium 6 (P6 or Neiguan) acupuncture point with a wristband (Sea-Band™) on nausea–vomiting in addition to the standard antiemetic medications used to prevent nausea–vomiting due to chemotherapy in gynecologic cancer patients.MethodIn this prospective research we used pre- and posttests. The study consisted of 34 patients with gynecologic cancer.ResultsWe found a significant decrease in the patients' mean scores of nausea and the use of antiemetic medications following acupressure applied to the patients with a wristband, when compared with their mean scores of nausea and the use of antiemetic medications prior to the application (p < 0.05), and we also observed a decline in their mean scores of vomiting and retching episodes; however, this decline was not found to be statistically significant (p > 0.05).ConclusionsThe findings from this study suggest that the acupressure applied to P6 acupuncture point with wristbands may be effective in reducing chemotherapy-related nausea and may decrease the antiemetic use after chemotherapy. Further research with more subjects is needed.     

Low-dose granisetron for prophylaxis of acute chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a pilot study

Objectives Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (QTNV) are very uncomfortable symptoms for patients with cancer, which can be circumvented in most of them with drug combinations containing serotonin receptor antagonists (5-HT₃ receptor antagonists) such as granisetron. In an attempt to decrease costs of QTNV prophylaxis, we studied a lower dose regimen of granisetron.Patients and methods Sixty patients with cancer scheduled to receive moderately/highly emetogenic chemotherapy were pretreated 1 h before with 0.5 mg granisetron p.o. combined with dexamethasone 20 mg i.v.Results We observed complete control for nausea, vomiting, and nausea and vomiting in 78% [95% confidence interval (CI), 67–89%], 61% (95% CI, 47.5–74.5%), and 58% (95% CI, 44.3–71.7%) of the patients, respectively. This regimen was very well tolerated; headache (35%), xerostomia (11%), and constipation (5%) were the most frequent adverse symptoms reported.Conclusions The regimen with lower dose granisetron is effective for acute QTNV prophylaxis and offers a cheaper alternative for QTNV control. We feel that these encouraging results should be confirmed in a randomized comparative trial.     

Effect of a nausea expectancy manipulation on chemotherapy-induced nausea: a university of Rochester cancer center community clinical oncology program study

Several studies have shown that patients' expectancies for the development of nausea following chemotherapy are robust predictors of that treatment-related side effect, and some studies have shown that interventions designed to influence expectancies can affect patients' reports of symptoms. In this randomized, multicenter, Community Clinical Oncology Program trial, we investigated the effect of an expectancy manipulation designed to reduce nausea expectancy on chemotherapy-induced nausea in 358 patients scheduled to receive chemotherapy treatment. Patients in the intervention arm received general cancer-related educational material plus specific information about the efficacy of ondansetron, specifically designed to diminish nausea expectancy. Patients in the control arm received only the general cancer-related educational material. Nausea expectancy was assessed both prior to and following the educational intervention. We observed a significant reduction in nausea expectancy in the intervention group (P=0.024) as compared to the control group (P=0.34). In the intervention group, patients' expectations of nausea assessed prior to the intervention correlated significantly with average nausea (r=0.27, P=0.001), whereas nausea expectancy assessed following the intervention did not (r=0.1, P=0.22). Although the expectancy manipulation reduced patients' reported expectations for the development of nausea, the occurrence of nausea was not reduced. Furthermore, post-intervention nausea expectancy compared to pre-intervention expectancy was less predictive of subsequent nausea. Explanations for these findings include the possibility that the expectancy manipulation was not strong enough, and the possibility that changing nausea expectancies does not change occurrence of nausea.     

Validation and psychometric assessment of a short clinical scale to measure chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: the MASCC antiemesis tool

There is a lack of clinical tools to facilitate communication between clinicians and patients about chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). The Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) has developed such a tool, which is an eight-item scale for the assessment of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting, and is completed once per cycle of chemotherapy. The aim of the current study was to assess its psychometric properties, specifically reliability and validity, cultural transferability and equivalence, and congruence with proxy assessments, as well as to determine if accuracy of recall of CINV events using the MASCC Antiemesis Tool (MAT) differed over time from chemotherapy. A prospective study was carried out with adult cancer patients and their informal carers from two hospitals, one each in the United Kingdom (UK) and United States of America (U.S.). Patients completed the Rhodes Index for nausea, vomiting and retching (INVR) daily for the first five days after chemotherapy and were then asked to complete the MAT at one week, two weeks, or three weeks after chemotherapy. Carers completed an adapted MAT concurrently with patients. The sample consisted of 87 patients and 22 informal carers. The internal consistency reliability of the scale was high, with Cronbach alphas of 0.77 (patient sample) and 0.82 (carer sample). Responses were similar between the UK and U.S. samples in terms of nausea and vomiting, and both samples found the scale easy to use. Contrasted-groups validity (using age as a grouping variable) and concurrent validity (MAT compared with INVR) suggested that the scale is sensitive to detect the different dimensions of CINV and performed well against a daily assessment of nausea/vomiting (total score correlation r=0.86, P<0.001). Recall of events was high even three weeks after chemotherapy (correlations with INVR of 0.44-0.99, all P<0.01). Factor analysis clearly identified three factors, namely vomiting, acute nausea, and delayed nausea. Proxy assessments by carers were congruent with the patients' responses, especially in relation to vomiting. The MAT is a reliable, valid, clear, and easy-to-use clinical tool that could facilitate discussion between clinicians and patients about their nausea and vomiting experience, thereby potentially aiding treatment decisions. Regular assessment of nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy has the potential to significantly improve CINV management.     

Progress in reducing anticipatory nausea and vomiting: a study of community practice

 Chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting (NV) in 300 consecutive patients treated in community practices prior to the availability of 5-HT₃ antiemetics (9/87 to 1/91) were compared with NV in a second sample of 300 patients treated after their commercial introduction (9/93 to 2/95). Eighty-six percent of the later patients received 5-HT₃ antiemetics, and significantly fewer (43.3%) reported one or more episodes of posttreatment vomiting during their first four cycles of chemotherapy compared with those in the previous sample (55.0%: P < .01). Identical numbers of both groups (79.3%) reported at least one episode of posttreatment nausea. A significant increase in the average duration of both posttreatment nausea (from 28.1 h to 37.2 h;P = 0.001) and posttreatment vomiting (from 10.9 h–16.5 h, P = .02) was found; no significant differences were seen in the reported severity of either symptom. The proportion of patients experiencing at least one episode of anticipatory nausea (31.0% vs 32.0%) or anticipatory vomiting (7.7% vs 6.3%) did not differ significantly (P > 0.5) between groups, nor were there significant differences in the duration or severity of anticipatory symptoms (P > 0.4 for all comparisons). The reduction in the frequency of posttreatment vomiting supports research findings of efficacy. Findings of an increase in duration of posttreatment nausea and emesis and no change in the frequency of posttreatment nausea or in anticipatory symptoms show a continuing need for progress in control of posttreatment emesis and emphasize the need for further research on the control of chemotherapy-induced nausea.