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Palonosetron Versus Ondansetron for the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting

Phase II, Open, Randomized Comparative Trial of Two Different Schedules of Palonosetron Versus Ondansetron for the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting in Patients With Hematologic Malignancies Receiving Regimens Containing High-dose Cytarabine

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01031498
Enrollment
150
Registered
2009-12-14
Start date
2005-09-30
Completion date
2009-09-30
Last updated
2012-08-07

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, Chemotherapy-induced Nausea and Vomiting

Keywords

Nausea, Vomiting, CINV, Leukemia, High-risk Myelodysplastic syndrome, AML, Hematologic malignancies, Hematologic Disorder, Continuous multi-day chemotherapy, High-dose cytarabine, Palonosetron, Aloxi, Ondansetron, Zofran

Brief summary

The goal of this clinical research study is to compare the effectiveness of 3 drug schedules in preventing chemotherapy-related nausea and/or vomiting in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

Detailed description

Chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting is a frequent problem among patients with leukemia that can lead to further medical problems, such as malnutrition, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and a lower quality of life. Cytarabine, one of the drugs that is used to treat AML and high-risk MDS, is known to cause nausea and/or vomiting, so all patients that receive chemotherapy with cytarabine also need to receive medication to prevent these side effects. One standard-of-care drug to treat chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting is called Ondansetron. Palonosetron is a new drug similar to Ondansetron that is designed to stay longer in the bloodstream. Researchers want to find out if palonosetron can prevent nausea and vomiting better than ondansetron. Women who are able to have children must have a negative blood or urine pregnancy test before starting treatment. If you are still eligible to take part in this study, you will be randomly assigned (as in the roll of the dice) to one of 3 treatment groups. Participants in the first group will be given Ondansetron as an intravenous (IV--through a needle in your vein) continuous infusion, from 30 minutes before your chemotherapy treatment until 12 hours after chemotherapy ends. This is considered the standard of care. Participants assigned to the second treatment group will be given palonosetron once a day by IV injection for 5 days. Each dose will be given over a period of 30 seconds, 30 minutes before your chemotherapy treatment. Participants assigned to the third treatment group will be given palonosetron once a day by IV injection, on Days 1, 3, and 5 of chemotherapy treatment. Each dose will be given over a period of 30 seconds, 30 minutes before your chemotherapy treatment. No matter what group you are assigned to, you will receive extra medication for nausea and/or vomiting as needed. You will be asked to fill out a study diary daily for 7 days, and it should take you no longer than 10 minutes to complete. The diary will be used to record the number of episodes of nausea and/or vomiting you experience during this study, as well as to record any need for extra medications, and to help researchers learn which of the 2 drugs helps the best to improve participants' quality of life (such as sleep, daily activities, and your ability to think and reason). You will be taken off study if intolerable side effects occur. This is an investigational study. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved palonosetron and Ondansetron for the prevention of chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting, and both drugs are commercially available. Up to 150 participants will take part in this study. All will be enrolled at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Interventions

DRUGOndansetron

8 mg IV as bolus followed by 24 mg IV from 30 minutes before chemotherapy until 12 hours after chemotherapy ends.

DRUGPalonosetron

Palonosetron Group 1: 0.25 mg IV bolus over 30 seconds daily for 5 days, 30 minutes before cytarabine chemotherapy. Palonosetron Group 2: 0.25 mg IV bolus over 30 seconds on Days 1, 3, and 5 of cytarabine chemotherapy, 30 minutes before chemotherapy.

Sponsors

Eisai Inc.
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Patients \> 18 years with acute myelogenous leukemia or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome undergoing chemotherapy with high dose cytarabine (1.5 or 2gm/m\^2) containing regimens. 2. Patients must sign an informed consent indicating they are aware of the investigational nature of this study, in keeping with the policies of the hospital.

Exclusion criteria

1. Patients with emesis or grade 2 nausea (oral intake is significantly decreased) or 3 nausea (no significant intake requiring intravenous fluids)\</= 24 hours before chemotherapy. 2. Patients with ongoing emesis due to any organic etiology. 3. Patients with known hypersensitivity to the study drug or to other selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonists.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of Patients With Complete Response7 days, starting first day of chemotherapyNumber of emesis (vomiting) episodes and no use of rescue medication during the administration of chemotherapy assessed as complete response. Complete response is defined as \< or equal to 1 episode of emesis during entire 7-day study period, no use of of rescue medication during the study period, and no more than moderate nausea (Grade 2, National Cancer Institutes (NCI) Common Terminology Criteria (CTC)) during chemotherapy.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Recruitment details

Recruitment Period: 9/13/2005 to 9/22/2009. All patients registered at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Pre-assignment details

Of the 150 enrolled, only 143 patients were evaluable. Two patients were transferred to intensive care unit, two patients did not receive chemotherapy. One patient received one dose and was placed on hold. One patient received two antiemetic drugs; and 1 patient had a severe headache after two doses and was withdrawn.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Ondansetron: Standard of Care
Standard of care, Ondansetron 8 mg intravenous (IV) as bolus followed by 24 mg IV from 30 minutes before chemotherapy until 12 hours after chemotherapy ends.
49
Palonosetron Group 1 (5 Days)
Palonosetron once a day 0.25 mg IV injection for 5 days, given over 30 seconds, 30 minutes before chemotherapy.
51
Palonosetron Group 2 (3 Days)
Palonosetron once a day 0.25 mg IV injection on Days 1, 3, and 5 of chemotherapy, given over 30 seconds, 30 minutes before chemotherapy.
50
Total150

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicOndansetron: Standard of CarePalonosetron Group 1 (5 Days)Palonosetron Group 2 (3 Days)Total
Age Continuous54 years52 years53 years53 years
Region of Enrollment
United States
49 participants51 participants50 participants150 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
25 Participants25 Participants21 Participants71 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
24 Participants26 Participants29 Participants79 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
— / —— / —— / —
other
Total, other adverse events
2 / 499 / 5111 / 50
serious
Total, serious adverse events
6 / 492 / 514 / 50

Outcome results

Primary

Number of Patients With Complete Response

Number of emesis (vomiting) episodes and no use of rescue medication during the administration of chemotherapy assessed as complete response. Complete response is defined as \< or equal to 1 episode of emesis during entire 7-day study period, no use of of rescue medication during the study period, and no more than moderate nausea (Grade 2, National Cancer Institutes (NCI) Common Terminology Criteria (CTC)) during chemotherapy.

Time frame: 7 days, starting first day of chemotherapy

Population: Analysis was per protocol. Seven patients were excluded from the efficacy analysis.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Ondansetron: Standard of CareNumber of Patients With Complete Response11 participants
Palonosetron Group 1 (5 Days)Number of Patients With Complete Response15 participants
Palonosetron Group 2 (3 Days)Number of Patients With Complete Response18 participants

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026