Longo, F., Mansueto, G., Lapadula, V., DeSanctis, R., Quadrini, S., Grande, R., … DiSeri, M. (2011). Palonosetron plus 3-day aprepitant and dexamethasone to prevent nausea and vomiting in patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy. Supportive Care in Cancer, 19, 1159-1164.
To evaluate the efficacy of a regimen of three-day aprepitant, a single dose of palonosetron, and three-day dexamethasone in patients receiving cisplatin-based, highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC)
Patients were given the following regimen. On day 1, patients were given 0.25 mg IV palonosetron, 20 mg IV dexamethasone, and 125 mg oral aprepitant before chemotherapy; on day 2, they received 80 mg oral aprepitant and 4 mg oral or intramuscular dexamethasone; and on day 3, they were given 80 mg oral aprepitant and 4 mg oral or intramuscular dexamethasone.
Rescue therapy was 10 mg metoclopramide and 4 mg dexamethasone. Patient diaries were used to record emesis, use of rescue medication, and severity of nausea for 5 days after chemotherapy.
The study was conducted in multiple outpatient settings in Italy.
All patients were in active treatment.
This was a prospective trial.
Palonosetron in combination with aprepitant and dexamethasone was found to be effective in preventing acute and delayed nausea and vomiting with HEC.
The findings confirmed the efficacy of palonosetron as part of an antiemetic drug regimen for patients receiving HEC.