Abstract

We report the prospective, randomized clinical study comparing granisetron and ondansetron as antiemetics in cancer chemotherapy. This study compares the efficacy and safety of a single dose of granisetron plus dexamethasone(GD) with three doses of ondansetron plus dexamethasone(OD) in the prevention of acute emesis induced by chemotherapy. One hundred one chemotherapy-native patients who received high dose ciaplatin(¡Al00mg /§³)-based combination chemotherapy were stratified by chemotherapeutic regimen. Patients were randomized to receive either 3 mg of granisetron intravenously(i.v.) or 8 mg of ondansetron for three doses i.v. in combination with dexamethasone to prevent emesis in the first 24 hours. In the GD group, a complete response(CR)(i.e., no emetic episode) was achived in 57% cases and a major response(MR)(i.e. ¡A2 emetic episodes) in 24%. In the OD group, a CR was seen in 71% of patients and an MR in 25%. Failure was recored in 7% and 2% of cases in the GD and OD, respectively. No statistically significant difference in any response category was seen between the two groups. Both GD and OD were well tolerated with no severe or unexpected side effects. In summary, these data suggest that single daily dose of granisetron(3mg/day) appeared similarly effective and well tolerated to three daily doses of ondansetron(8mg three times daily) in prevention of acute emesis induced by high dose cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy.

• Keywords: Granisetron, Ondansetron, Dexamethasone, High dose cisplatin-base combination chemotherapy