Overview of the prevention and management of CINV.

The prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is critically important in reducing morbidity and total healthcare costs in patients receiving emetogenic chemotherapy. The different types of CINV (ie, acute, delayed, anticipatory, breakthrough, and refractory) are controlled through various pathways and neurotransmitters, so the pharmacologic approach to prevention and treatment varies based on the type of CINV. New therapeutic agents and combinations of agents have changed the dynamic of CINV control, and national guidelines have been recently updated based on current evidence.

Reviewing current and emerging antiemetics for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting prophylaxis.

This review provides background information on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) classification and pathophysiology and reviews various antiemetic agents for CINV prophylaxis, including corticosteroids, serotonin receptor antagonists (5-HT3 RAs), tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonists (NK1 RAs), and olanzapine. Other less commonly used agents are briefly discussed. Practical considerations are reviewed as well, including emetogenicity of chemotherapeutic regimens, patient-specific risk factors for CINV, principles of CINV management, health economics outcome research, and quality of life.

Drug-drug interaction profile of components of a fixed combination of netupitant and palonosetron: Review of clinical data.

Neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor antagonists (RAs) are commonly coadministered with serotonin (5-HT3) RAs (e.g. palonosetron (PALO)) to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting.

Mitoxantrone and etoposide in patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia with persistent leukemia after a course of therapy with cytarabine and idarubicin.

The most effective regimen for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who do not achieve complete remission (CR) after one course of cytarabine and an anthracycline has not been extensively studied. We evaluated retrospectively the efficacy, toxicity, and prognostic factors for the achievement of CR following mitoxantrone and etoposide in 74 patients with newly diagnosed AML who did not respond to one course of therapy with cytarabine and idarubicin. CR was achieved in 39% of patients; 14% died of infectious complications; no grade 3 or 4 hepatic toxicities were observed.

Darbepoetin alfa: an effective treatment with flexible and simplified dosing for anemia in patients with cancer.

Anemia is common in patients with cancer or myelodysplastic syndrome. Erythropoietic therapy offers an effective way to manage anemia by increasing hemoglobin levels, decreasing transfusion requirements, and alleviating symptoms. We reviewed data showing the feasibility and effectiveness of treatment with the erythropoiesis-stimulating protein darbepoetin alfa at extended dosing intervals to treat anemia in patients with cancer receiving multicycle chemotherapy.

Disposition of imatinib and its metabolite CGP74588 in a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia and short-bowel syndrome.

Imatinib mesylate, licensed to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumors, is metabolized by means of cytochrome P450 3A and excreted primarily in the bile. Although the bioavailability of imatinib mesylate is more than 97%, the exact gastrointestinal site of its absorption is unknown. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to quantitate imatinib and its metabolite CGP74588 in the plasma and jejunostomy output of a patient with newly diagnosed chronic myelogenous leukemia.