Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · Oct 2012
Using aprepitant as secondary antiemetic prophylaxis for cancer patients with cisplatin-induced emesis.
Chemotherapy-induced emesis remains a problem despite prophylaxis with 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT3) antagonists and dexamethasone. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of adding aprepitant, a neurokinin-1(NK-1) receptor antagonist, as a secondary antiemetic prophylaxis in cases failing to achieve full protection against emesis during the first cycle of a cisplatin-based regimen. ⋯ Primary antiemetic prophylaxis with 5-HT3 antagonists plus dexamethasone provided more than 80% complete protection against cisplatin-induced emesis. Addition of aprepitant as secondary antiemetic prophylaxis in subsequent cycles provided adequate emesis protection in patients who failed primary prophylaxis. Using aprepitant as secondary antiemetic prophylaxis for cancer patients with cisplatin-induced emesis is feasible and cost-effective.