• T Sarcev, N Secen, Dj Povazan, A Sabo, J Popovic, D Bursac, M Kakas, B Zaric, and A Milovancev.
• Clinic for Pulmonary Oncology, Department for Invasive Diagnostics, Institute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina, Sremska Kamenica, Medical Faculty, University of Novi Sad, Serbia. tians@eunet.yu
• J Buon. 2007 Apr 1; 12 (2): 245-52.

PurposeThe aim of this study was to determine the influence of dexamethasone in the decrease of cisplatin and etoposide-induced nausea and vomiting in patients treated for lung cancer during and after 2 chemotherapy cycles.Patients And MethodsThe analysis included 60 patients with histologically proven lung cancer, who were divided in two groups. Group A consisted of 30 patients who received cisplatin and etoposide with standard antiemetic drugs: ondansetron [serotonin receptor antagonist (5-HT(3) antagonist)] and metoclopramide (dopamine receptor antagonist). Group B consisted of 30 patients who received the same chemotherapy regimen with the previous antiemetic therapy plus dexamethasone 8 mg intravenously (i.v.) per day during the 3 days of chemotherapy. During and after the 3-day therapy, patients filled in a questionnaire issuing adverse effects of chemotherapy concerning many symptoms including nausea and vomiting. The results were statistically processed.ResultsThere was a significant decrease in the frequency and toxicity of nausea, acute and delayed vomiting in the group of patients who received antiemetic treatment with ondansetron, metoclopramide plus dexamethasone.ConclusionDexamethasone administered with 5-HT(3) antagonists and dopamine receptor antagonists significantly decreases the chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

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