title: 5-HT3-receptor antagonists in the control of delayed-onset emesis.
abstract: Nausea and vomiting are typical side-effects of cancer therapy. The management of acute-onset emesis (< 24 hours post-treatment) has improved markedly in recent years and the 5-HT3-receptor antagonists are widely regarded as the antiemetic 'gold standard' during this period. Delayed-onset emesis (> 24 hours post-treatment), however, still represents a therapeutic challenge. Available data indicates that the 5-HT3-receptor antagonists are at least as good as conventional antiemetics in controlling delayed-onset emesis, and that their efficacy in this setting may be improved by the addition of a corticosteroid. As a result, antiemetic guidelines recommend the addition of a 5-HT3-receptor antagonist for the treatment of delayed emesis, particularly for high-risk patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, S.G. Moscati Hospital, Via Circumvallazione, 83100-Avellino, Italy. cgridelli@libero.it
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gridelli
mesh_terms: D000932:Antiemetics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D017829:Granisetron / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000009:adverse effects; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*; D044406:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT3; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D017829:Granisetron; D017294:Ondansetron; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D044406:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT3; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists