title: Compassionate use of a 5-HT3-receptor antagonist, tropisetron, in patients refractory to standard antiemetic treatment.
abstract: The efficacy of tropisetron in the prevention of nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy of varying emetogenic potential was evaluated in 545 patients with a variety of malignancies who had either proved refractory to antiemetic treatment during previous chemotherapy courses or who were considered to be at high risk of nausea and vomiting. Tropisetron 5 or 10mg was administered intravenously just before chemotherapy, with the possibility of additional oral or intravenous doses on the day before chemotherapy and on 1 or more subsequent days. On day 1 of the first course of chemotherapy, a complete response (no nausea and no vomiting) was achieved in 62% of patients and a partial response (1 to 4 vomits and/or episodes of nausea) in 29%. Among the 325 patients who received a second course of chemotherapy, more than 80% of those with a complete response on day 1 of course 1 also had a complete response on day 1 of course 2; 37% and 26%, respectively, of patients with a partial response or failure (1 or more vomits and/or episodes of nausea) on day 1 of course 1 then had a complete response on day 1 of course 2.
authors.affiliation: Institut Bordet, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bleiberg
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Van Belle
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paridaens
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Wasch
authors.forename: L Y
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Dirix
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tjean
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D000077526:Tropisetron; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007211:Indoles; D000077526:Tropisetron