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Comparison of granisetron and the combination of granisetron plus methylprednisolone in the prophylaxis of cisplatin-induced emesis

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Abstract

Background

This trial investigated whether a combination of granisetron plus methylprednisolone was more effective than granisetron alone in controlling acute and delayed emesis associated with cisplatin chemotherapy.

Methods

Using a crossover study, an objective comparison was made between the combination therapy of granisetron and methylprednisolone (GM), and the monotherapy of granisetron (G), in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy containing cisplatin. Ten of 13 patients completed the randomized crossover trials. Three patients were withdrawn due to severe nausea and vomiting, and/or the patient's refusal of chemotherapy.

Results

The GM and G treatments were considered to be remarkably effective (10/10, 100%), or effective (8/10, 80%), in controlling acute emesis, respectively. Delayed emesis was controlled in 100% of the patients in the GM group and in 70% (7/10) of the patients in the G group. Eighty percent of the patients preferred the combination therapy because of the absence of nausea and vomiting. No clinical adverse effects were experienced with the combination use of granisetron and methylprednisolone.

Conclusion

Overall, the combination therapy of granisetron and methylprednisolone is more efficient and useful in preventing the acute and delayed emesis associated with intense chemotherapy in comparison to granisetron used as a monotherapy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Murakami Memorial Hospital, Asahi University, 3-23 Hashimoto-cho, 500, Gifu, Japan

    Masaki Nakanishi, Jirou Ohsawa, Masahiko Nonaka, Jun Kamiyama, Kohji Idoguchi, Takahisa Tabata, Tomoko Okuno & Masaaki Shinoda

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  1. Masaki Nakanishi
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  2. Jirou Ohsawa
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  3. Masahiko Nonaka
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  4. Jun Kamiyama
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  5. Kohji Idoguchi
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  6. Takahisa Tabata
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  7. Tomoko Okuno
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  8. Masaaki Shinoda
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Nakanishi, M., Ohsawa, J., Nonaka, M. et al. Comparison of granisetron and the combination of granisetron plus methylprednisolone in the prophylaxis of cisplatin-induced emesis. Int J Clin Oncol 2, 138–142 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02490123

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02490123

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