Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in Asian women with breast cancer receiving anthracycline-based adjuvant chemotherapy.
BACKGROUND
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) remain among the most frequently reported distressing side effects associated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy despite significant advances in antiemetic management. The main risk factor for severity of CINV is the emetogenic potential of the chemotherapeutic agents. However, patient-related risk factors have been identified, including genetic makeup. Although studies have noted that ethnicity influences nausea and vomiting in other contexts, there is a paucity of research regarding the impact of ethnicity on CINV. This study was undertaken to evaluate whether Asian women receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy experience more CINV than non-Asians.


METHODS
A retrospective, comparative, correlational chart review was performed to abstract the relevant variables.


RESULTS
Data from a convenience sample of 358 women with breast cancer who received chemotherapy with doxorubicin between 2004 and 2008 at City of Hope in Duarte, California, were evaluated. The sample consisted of Caucasians (45%), Hispanics (27.7%), Asians (19.8%), and African Americans (7.5%). The results indicate that Asian women with breast cancer undergoing anthracycline-based chemotherapy experienced statistically significantly more clinically important CINV than their non-Asian counterparts.


CONCLUSIONS
The data were collected retrospectively, with a certain population distribution at a specific time.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides interesting preliminary evidence that Asian ethnicity plays a role in the development of severe CINV. When managing chemotherapy toxicities in women with breast cancer, health-care providers should tailor therapy to individual risk profiles. Specifically, consideration of antiemetic therapy should accommodate patient characteristics, such as Asian descent.
The Sage College, 65 1st Street, Troy, NY 12180, USA. lbourdeanu@yahoo.com
Laura
L
Bourdeanu
Paul
P
Frankel
Wai
W
Yu
Gregory
G
Hendrix
Sumanta
S
Pal
Lina
L
Badr
George
G
Somlo
Thehang
T
Luu
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018943:Anthracyclines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D044466:Asian People; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced*
D018943:Anthracyclines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents