Single-dose palonosetron and dose-reduced regimen of dexamethasone in preventing nausea and vomiting by anthracycline-including chemotherapy in patients with early breast cancer

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of reduction of dexamethasone with a single-dose of palonosetron in preventing acute and delayed nausea and vomiting in patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC) for early breast cancer. Patients and methods: Chemotherapy-naive patients with breast cancer were given HEC in an adjuvant or neoadjuvant setting. Palonosetron and dexamethasone 4 mg i.v. were given on day 1 and another two administrations of dexamethasone 4 mg i.m. were given on days 2 and 3. The end-point was complete response (CR) and complete control (CC) during the acute and delayed phases. Results: Twenty-six patients were observed. Complete response was achieved in 19 out of 26 patients (72.4%); the same result was shown in 72.4% out of 76 courses given. Conclusion: This alternative schedule suggests efficacy for the control of acute and delayed emesis in moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. Further investigations are required to confirm these results.