Chapell, R., & Aapro, M.S. (2013). Efficacy of aprepitant among patients aged 65 and over receiving moderately to highly emetogenic chemotherapy: A meta-analysis of unpublished data from previously published studies. Journal of Geriatric Oncology, 4(1), 78–83.
PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment
APPLICATIONS: Elder care
The relative risk of complete response for patients under 65 is 1.30 (95% CI: 1.19–1.42; p < 0.0001). It is not significantly different from patients over 65 (Q = 0.281, p = 0.596). The relative risk for a complete response for patients over 75 is 1.42 (95% CI: 1.07–1.89; p = 0.02). It is not significantly different from the relative risk for patients under the age of 75 (1.28, 95% CI: 1.19–1.37; Q = 0.49, p = 0.78). The relative risk of a complete response to regimens including aprepitant for patients over 75 is not different for patients under 65 (Q = 0.42, p = 0.81). There was no statistically significant difference in heterogeneity among studies.
Aprepitant is beneficial for patients both over and under age 65.
The addition of aprepitant should be considered in patients, regardless of age, for the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting associated with moderate and highly emetogenic chemotherapy.