The use of aprepitant and palonosetron in preventing chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting inlung cancer patients

Abstract

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to explore the clinical efficacy and toxicity of a combination aprepitant and palonosetron hydrochloride therapy in preventing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting associated with a cisplatinum-based regimen in patients with lung cancer. Methods Sixty-eight patients with lung cancer were randomly assigned to receive either aprepitant plus palonosetron hydrochloride (group A, n = 38) or tropisetron (group B, n = 30). Acute (0-24 h) and delayed (2-5 d) emetic episodes, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and dizziness were compared between the two groups in the five days following cisplatinum-based chemotherapy. Results Group A had a higher complete control rate for both acute and delayed emetic episodes than Group B (36.8% vs. 13.3% and 31.6% vs. 13.3%, respectively; P < 0.05 for both). There was no significant difference in the constipation rate between the two groups. Conclusion Aprepitant combined with palonosetron hydrochloride is active and well tolerated in both acute and delayed emetic episodes in patients with lung cancer treated by a cisplatinum-based regimen.