title: Double-blind, randomized trial for the control of delayed emesis in patients receiving cisplatin: comparison of placebo vs. adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).
abstract: Delayed nausea and vomiting is a significant problem for the majority of patients receiving cisplatin. We designed a double-blind randomized study comparing the effects of ACTH and placebo on delayed emesis. Sixty-four adult cancer patients entered this trial; all received a chemotherapy regimen containing cisplatin (greater than or equal to 60 mg/m2) and a combination of metoclopramide and dexamethasone for the control of acute emesis during the period from 0 to 24 h after cisplatin (day 1). Twenty-four hours after cisplatin (day 2) they were randomized to receive 1 mg of ACTH i.m. in its long-acting form, or placebo in an identical vial. All patients were asked to keep a daily record of the incidence and severity of delayed vomiting and nausea for each of the five consecutive 24-h periods after cisplatin administration. Sixty patients were evaluable. The percentages of patients experiencing vomiting in the ACTH and placebo arms were, respectively, 17% vs. 43% on day 2 (24-48 h after cisplatin) (P = 0.04), 13% vs. 40% on day 3 (48-72 h) (P = 0.04), 20% vs. 34% on day 4 (72-96 h), and 20% vs. 30% on day 5 (96-120 h). During the entire 5-day study period, 33% of the patients in the ACTH group experienced delayed vomiting as opposed to 57% in the placebo arm (P = 0.11).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Service, University Hospital, Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Passalacqua
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cocconi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bella
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Monici
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Michiara
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bandini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bacchi
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006728:Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D013997:Time Factors; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D006728:Hormones; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D002945:Cisplatin