Palonosetron (palonosetron hydrochloride) is a second generation 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonist, developed for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in patients with cancer.
Longo said in their study they included 158 chemotherapy-naive patients with lung cancer, receiving cisplatin-based HEC.
"We treated them with palonosetron, aprepitant and dexamethasone 1-hour before chemotherapy, and again with aprepitant and dexamethasone on the second and the third day," Longo said.
"The aim of our study was to evaluate, for the first time ever, whether the antiemetic efficacy of the triple combination could be sustained for up to six cycles in these patients.
"We verified and in addition, we also confirmed that the adequate control in the first cycle is more likely to be associated with control of CINV in the subsequent ones."
The West Clinic, Memphis medical director Lee Schwartzberg performed a pooled analysis of 4 phase III studies, in which he compared the drug with 1st generation drugs such as ondansetron, dolasetron and granisetron.
Schwartzberg said the aim of the analysis was to assess the comparative safety and efficacy profiles of the most used 5-HT3 RAs, palonosetron, ondansetron, dolasetron, and granisetron in the prevention of CINV in patients with lung cancer.
"In our analysis, palonosetron statistically demonstrated improved CINV prevention and a comparable safety profile relative to old generation 5HT3-RAs in patients with lung cancer."
Palonosetron has been developed by Switzerland-based Helsinn Group and it is marketed as Aloxi, Onicit, and Paloxi in more than 50 countries world-wide.