Safety and efficacy of a triple antiemetic combination with the NK-1 antagonist aprepitant in highly and moderately emetogenic multiple-day chemotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
In multiple-day chemotherapy (MDC), the combination of a 5-HT(3)-antagonist plus dexamethasone is still a standard of care. The role of a NK-1-antagonist remains to be defined.


METHODS
Seventy eight cancer patients undergoing multiple-day chemotherapy of high (HEC) or moderate (MEC) emetic risk received granisetron, dexamethasone plus aprepitant during chemotherapy. After the end of chemotherapy, aprepitant plus dexamethasone was given for another 2 days. Primary end-point was complete response (CR) in the overall phase (day 1 until 5 days after the end of chemotherapy).


RESULTS
Thirty eight patients underwent HEC and 40 patients underwent MEC for a median of 3.5 days. CR was seen in 57.9% and 72.5% of patients receiving HEC and MEC, respectively. The tolerability of the aprepitant regimen over 5-7 days was comparable with a 3-day aprepitant regimen.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report in MDC with a NK-1-antagonist containing antiemetic regimen showing a favourable safety profile with good antiemetic efficacy.
Jordan
Karin
K
Department of Internal Medicine IV, Oncology/Hematology, Martin-Luther-University Halle/Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120 Halle, Saale, Germany. Electronic address: karin.jordan@medizin.uni-halle.de.
Kinitz
Iris
I
Department of Internal Medicine IV, Oncology/Hematology, Martin-Luther-University Halle/Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120 Halle, Saale, Germany.
Voigt
Wieland
W
Department of Internal Medicine IV, Oncology/Hematology, Martin-Luther-University Halle/Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120 Halle, Saale, Germany.
Behlendorf
Timo
T
Department of Internal Medicine IV, Oncology/Hematology, Martin-Luther-University Halle/Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120 Halle, Saale, Germany.
Wolf
Hans-Heinrich
HH
Department of Internal Medicine IV, Oncology/Hematology, Martin-Luther-University Halle/Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120 Halle, Saale, Germany.
Schmoll
Hans-Joachim
HJ
Department of Internal Medicine IV, Oncology/Hematology, Martin-Luther-University Halle/Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120 Halle, Saale, Germany.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077608:Aprepitant; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D017829:Granisetron / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009025:Morpholines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D064729:Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists; D012449:Safety; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000932:Antiemetics; D000077608:Aprepitant; D003907:Dexamethasone; D017829:Granisetron; D009025:Morpholines; D064729:Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists