Delayed emesis: moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (single-day chemotherapy regimens only).

PURPOSE

An update of the recommendations for the prophylaxis of delayed emesis induced by moderately emetogenic chemotherapy discussed during the third Perugia Consensus Conference (June 2009) sponsored by MASCC-ESMO was presented. The review considered new studies published since the second consensus conference (April 2004).

METHODS

An online search was used conducting PubMed and the search terms moderately, chemotherapy, and emesis with a restriction to papers in English.

RESULTS

Overall, nine randomized controlled studies were included: four evaluating NK1 receptor antagonists, one palonosetron, and four dopamine receptor antagonists.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients receiving a combination of anthracycline plus cyclophosphamide treated with a combination of aprepitant, a 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist and dexamethasone to prevent acute nausea and vomiting, aprepitant is suggested to prevent delayed emesis. In patients who do not receive aprepitant for the prophylaxis for acute emesis and in which palonosetron is recommended, a multiday oral dexamethasone is the preferred treatment for the prevention of delayed emesis. Levels of evidence and of consensus for both recommendations are moderate.