Development of aprepitant, the first neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting

Abstract

Chemotherapy can be a life-prolonging treatment for many cancer patients, but it is often associated with profound nausea and vomiting that is so distressing that patients may delay or decline treatment to avoid these side effects. EMEND (aprepitant) is the first and only neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor antagonist available on the market for the prevention of acute and delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). Aprepitant acts centrally at NK-1 receptors in vomiting centers within the central nervous system to block their activation by substance P released as an unwanted consequence of chemotherapy. By controlling nausea and vomiting, EMEND helps improve patients' daily living and their ability to complete multiple cycles of chemotherapy. The development of aprepitant included a novel nanoparticle formulation to optimize oral absorption and innovative chemistry to discover a prodrug form suitable for intravenous administration to improve compliance and convenience for healthcare professionals and cancer patients.