[Efficacy of aprepitant for quality of life of outpatients receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy].

We examined the antiemetic effect and impact of aprepitant on the quality of life (QOL) of outpatients receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC). Data were compared between patients who received aprepitant (aprepitant group, n=30, treated May to September 2010) and those who did not (control group, n=14, treated February to April 2010). Controls received antiemetic treatment with a serotonin receptor antagonist and dexamethasone on Day 1. The aprepitant group received oral aprepitant (125 mg) concomitantly with these drugs on Day 1, and aprepitant (80 mg) on Days 2 and 3. The percentages of subjects without vomiting and nausea during the overall phase (0-96 h), acute phase (0-24 h), and delayed phase (24-96 h), and without loss of appetite during the entire period and delayed phase, were significantly higher in the aprepitant group. A QOL evaluation using the Functional Living Index-Emesis (FLIE) questionnaire showed a significantly higher percentage of subjects without the impact of nausea and vomiting disturbing their daily lives during the overall phase, and a significant decrease in QOL disturbance in the aprepitant group. Our results suggest that nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and QOL disturbance occur in many outpatients undergoing MEC, and that concomitant therapy with 3 drugs including aprepitant can improve symptoms and QOL of these patients.