title: The antiemetic effect of granisetron in lower hemibody radiotherapy.
abstract: Radiotherapy-induced emesis is poorly controlled with existing antiemetics. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5HT3) receptor antagonists are a new class of antiemetics which have been demonstrated to be effective in controlling cytotoxic-induced emesis. We have prospectively studied the antiemetic efficacy of the 5HT3 receptor antagonist granisetron in an open non-randomized efficacy and toxicity study, at two dose levels, in patients receiving lower hemibody radiotherapy for multiple bone metastases. Of the 22 patients studied, 13 patients received 20 micrograms/kg and nine patients 40 micrograms/kg of granisetron, administered as an intravenous infusion 1 h before radiotherapy. Radiotherapy was administered as a single exposure to the lower half body to a midline dose of 8 Gy. A complete response (no nausea or vomiting) was observed in 9/13 patients at the lower dose level and 6/9 patients at the higher level. No major adverse events were recorded. We conclude that granisetron is a well-tolerated and effective antiemetic agent in radiotherapy-induced emesis. Formal comparison with conventional antiemetic agents in this situation is required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Christie Hospital, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Logue
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Magee
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Murdoch
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary; D005260:Female; D017829:Granisetron; D006801:Humans; D007191:Indazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D017829:Granisetron; D007191:Indazoles