Sepulveda-Vildosola, A.C., Betanzos-Cabrera, Y., Lastiri, G.G., Rivera-Marquez, H., Villasis-Keever, M.A., Del Angel, V.W., … Lopez-Aguilar, E. (2008). Palonosetron hydrochloride is an effective and safe option to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in children. Archives of Medical Research, 39, 601–606.
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of palonosetron for management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in pediatric patients
Prior to every chemotherapy cycle, patients were randomized to receive either 0.25 mg palonosetron 30 minutes before chemotherapy or 8 mg/m2 IV ondansetron every 8 hours. Patients or guardians used a self-administered questionnaire to record emetic events and intensity of nausea during the next seven days. They also were asked to record secondary effects of palonosetron.
The study was conducted at a single site in Mexico.
All patients were in active treatment and pediatric.
This was a randomized, single-blind comparative study.
The authors developed a questionnaire for patients to record emesis and nausea intensity. Nausea was defined as absent, mild (decrease in oral intake), or intense (no oral intake).
Palonosetron appears to be safe and effective in pediatric patients. A regimen with single-dose palonosetron may be less expensive than multiple-dose ondansetron.
Palonosetron may be effective in this population, and single-dose palonosetron regimens may be a cost-effective alternative to multiple-day treatments. Improved symptom measurement methods in pediatric patients are worth exploring.