New Drug Regimen Aimed at Reducing Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea

Nausea and vomiting are two of the most common side effects reported in chemotherapy patients. Now, a new study performed at the University of Vermont in Burlington shows promising results in reducing the degree of nausea and vomiting felt in the days following cancer treatment.

In the multinational study, adding a single dose of a new anti-nausea drug to the standard two-drug regimen dramatically reduced complaints of nausea and vomiting for the five days following chemotherapy. This new drug, casopitant mesylate, was effective in eliminating retching, vomiting and the need for rescue medication in the initial 120 hours following emetogenic chemotherapy.

Doctors were pleasantly surprised the find that the new drug was effective when administered as either a single oral dose or a 3-day intravenous/oral combination. Additionally, side effects of the drug were mild, with neutropenia (lowered white blood cell count), febrile neutropenia and dehydration being the most common. These side effects only affected one to two percent of all participants.

The trial, which was comprehensive, involved patients in 22 different countries and 77 different clinical cancer centers. All patients in the program underwent cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The majority of patients in the study had non-small cell lung cancer and the average participant age was 50 years old.

Now that the phase III trial has concluded with such promising results, the manufacturer of the drug, GlaxoSmithKline, is submitting the drug for FDA approval. The application, which should reach the Gastrointestinal Drugs Advisory Committee on May 20, will be marketed under the brand name Rezonic if approved.

Sources: MedPageToday, Fars News Agency

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