title: Single-dose palonosetron and dose-reduced regimen of dexamethasone in preventing nausea and vomiting by anthracycline-including chemotherapy in patients with early breast cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of reduction of dexamethasone with a single-dose of palonosetron in preventing acute and delayed nausea and vomiting in patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC) for early breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Chemotherapy-naive patients with breast cancer were given HEC in an adjuvant or neoadjuvant setting. Palonosetron and dexamethasone 4 mg i.v. were given on day 1 and another two administrations of dexamethasone 4 mg i.m. were given on days 2 and 3. The end-point was complete response (CR) and complete control (CC) during the acute and delayed phases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-six patients were observed. Complete response was achieved in 19 out of 26 patients (72.4%); the same result was shown in 72.4% out of 76 courses given.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This alternative schedule suggests efficacy for the control of acute and delayed emesis in moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. Further investigations are required to confirm these results.
authors.affiliation: Operative Unit of Oncology, A. Fiorini Hospital, Terracina, Italy.
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Pacetti
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Veltri
authors.forename: Silvia Ileana Sara
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Fattoruso
authors.forename: Francesca D'Assisi
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Cardillo
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Evangelista
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cognetti
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fabi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000009:adverse effects; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D000077924:Palonosetron; D011379:Prognosis; D011812:Quinuclidines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D007546:Isoquinolines; D011812:Quinuclidines; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D015251:Epirubicin; D000077924:Palonosetron; D003907:Dexamethasone; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D005472:Fluorouracil