title: Management of cyclophosphamide-induced emesis over repeat courses.
abstract: This paper describes the only published study to date which prospectively evaluates the efficacy of a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist over repeated courses of cyclophosphamide chemotherapy. The combination of ondansetron and dexamethasone was significantly superior to metoclopramide and dexamethasone over 6 courses of chemotherapy given for the treatment of breast cancer. Importantly, patients given ondansetron benefited from a superior quality of life over the six courses of treatment. A Markov chain statistical model has been applied to these data. This model assumes that the results over subsequent courses is dependent on the efficacy of the anti-emetic therapy and the results obtained during the previous course of chemotherapy. This model successfully predicts the actual results obtained in the clinical study. Using this model it is possible to hypothesise on the results obtained following different treatment strategies. These data emphasise that it is important to give optimal anti-emetic therapy from the first course of chemotherapy as this will facilitate good control during subsequent courses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Oncology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soukop
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014839:Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017294:Ondansetron; D003907:Dexamethasone; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D008787:Metoclopramide