Association of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting or anorexia with plasma levels of five gastrointestinal peptides in patients receiving chemotherapy.

Background: Imbalance between gastrointestinal peptides has been implicated as a cause of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) and anorexia in cancer patients. This study comprehensively evaluated the changes in blood levels of five gastrointestinal peptide: substance P, neuropeptide (NPY), motilin, ghrelin and leptin, following chemotherapy, and the relationship between these peptides and CINV or anorexia.

Methods: This single-center, prospective, observational study recruited 20 patients with esophageal cancer, urothelial cancer, or testiculoma undergoing cisplatin-based chemotherapy.