Uchino, J., Hirano, R., Tashiro, N., Yoshida, Y., Ushijima, S., Matsumoto, T., … Watanabe, K. (2012). Efficacy of aprepitant in patients with advanced or recurrent lung cancer receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention: APJCP, 13, 4187-4190.
To evaluate the efficacy of aprepitant combined with conventional antiemetic therapy in patients receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy
5-HT3 receptor antagonists were given 30 minutes prior to chemotherapy. Aprepitant was given orally at 125 mg on day 1 and 80 mg on days 2 and 3. Dexamethasone was given by infusion 30 minutes prior to chemotherapy. Patients were followed for five days. Results in these patients were compared to a control group that received only 5-HT3 and dexamethasone.
The study was conducted at a single inpatient site in Japan.
All patients were in active antitumor treatment.
This was a retrospective study.
The addition of aprepitant to standard antiemtic therapy in patients receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy was associated with less nausea and vomiting and better food intake.
Neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor antagonists have been recommended for highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC); however, less evidence is available regarding their use with moderately emetogenic regimens (MEC). This study suggests that the addition of NK1 to MEC is beneficial for reduction of CINV in this group of patients. Nurses can advocate for maximal symptom control to prevent CINV, one of the most severe adverse effects of chemotherapy.