1816MO - ICES (International Carboplatin Emesis Survey) for the evaluation of the emetogenicity of carboplatin-based chemotherapy – with a focus on nausea. MASCC Antiemetic Study Group survey

Background

Chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) following carboplatin containing chemotherapy regimen remains a considerable problem for cancer patients (pts) despite standard antiemetic prophylaxis. This MASCC study was undertaken to prospectively evaluate the incidence of CINV in pts undergoing carboplatin-based chemotherapy receiving guidelines consistent CINV prophylaxis (GCCP). All sites did not prescribe NK1-RA as it is not included in all institutional guidelines.

Methods

The study enrolled 207 pts undergoing carboplatin-based chemotherapy, the current analysis evaluated cycle 1 of the first 155 pts. Pt diaries were used to collect data from day 1-10 beginning with cycle 1. Nausea was reported by the pts using a visual analog scale (VAS) with the end-point being no nausea. Vomiting episodes were recorded in the pts’ diaries.

Results

There were 103 females and 52 males, with a mean age of 64 (30-85). The overall incidence of acute and delayed nausea for was 17% and 25% respectively. The incidence of nausea of entire population was significantly higher than vomiting (58% vs. 14%; Chi² 22.271 p<0.000). The use of NK1-RA was associated with a significant decrease in time to first vomiting for cycle 1 (p<0.041) and subsequent cycle 2-6 (p<0.0075). Time to first nausea was not significant for cycle 1 or subsequent cycles. In a logistic regression model factors associated with acute nausea in cycle 1 included history of motion sickness (p< 0.0090), comorbidities (p< 0.0084), history of morning sickness (p< 0.0090), previous chemotherapy (p< 0.0096), anemia (p< 0.0209). A separate logistic regression analysis for delayed nausea in cycle 1 showed that prior radiotherapy (p<0.0093) and a history of morning sickness (p<0.0195) were significant.

Conclusions

Despite GCCP and the usage of NK1-RA, carboplatin induced nausea remains a major unmet medical need in cancer pts. Further research should focus on management of nausea, risk factors and the impact of nausea on quality of life and in pts undergoing carboplatin-based treatment.

Clinical trial identification

ICES.

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The Medical Oncology Centre of Rosebank.

Funding

GSK (Tesaro).

Disclosure

S. Bošnjak: Honoraria (self): Helsinn; Honoraria (self): Angelini; Honoraria (self): Amicus, ; Honoraria (self): Infarm ; Honoraria (self): MSD, ; Honoraria (self): Merck; Honoraria (self): PharmaSwiss, ; Honoraria (self): Actavis. B.L. Rapoport: Research grant/Funding (self): GSK (TESARO); Advisory/Consultancy, Speaker Bureau/Expert testimony: MSD. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.