Preventive effects of low-dose dexamethasone for delayed adverse events induced by carboplatin-based combination chemotherapy

Yakugaku Zasshi. 2007 Jun;127(6):1001-6. doi: 10.1248/yakushi.127.1001.

Abstract

We performed a retrospective study to examine the protective effect of low-dose dexamethasone (DEX) on delayed adverse events induced by carboplatin (CBDCA)-based combination chemotherapy in patients with thoracic tumors. Low-dose DEX (4-8 mg/day) was administered on day 1 and after, in addition to a serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist. The acute adverse events (day 1) were well controlled in the patients with or without co-treatment of DEX. On the other hand, the delayed nausea, emesis, anorexia, and fatigue after day 2 failed to be controlled by 5-HT3 antagonist alone. Co-treatment with DEX significantly suppressed the grade of the delayed adverse events during days 2-10. The mean ratio of complete protection during days 2-10 were significantly higher in the DEX-treated group compared with the non-DEX-treated group. These results reveal that low-dose DEX is a clinically effective treatment for the prevention of delayed adverse events induced by CBDCA-based combination chemotherapy.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anorexia / chemically induced
  • Anorexia / prevention & control
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects*
  • Carboplatin / adverse effects*
  • Dexamethasone / administration & dosage*
  • Fatigue / chemically induced
  • Fatigue / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nausea / chemically induced*
  • Nausea / prevention & control*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Serotonin 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists
  • Time Factors
  • Vomiting / chemically induced
  • Vomiting / prevention & control

Substances

  • Serotonin 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists
  • Dexamethasone
  • Carboplatin