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. 2022 Apr;17(2):130-136.
doi: 10.1159/000514891. Epub 2021 May 25.

Quality of Life Effects of an Oral Fixed Combination of Netupitant and Palonosetron in Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting Prevention: Real-World Evidence in Patients with Breast Cancer Receiving Anthracycline-Cyclophosphamide-Based Chemotherapy

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Quality of Life Effects of an Oral Fixed Combination of Netupitant and Palonosetron in Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting Prevention: Real-World Evidence in Patients with Breast Cancer Receiving Anthracycline-Cyclophosphamide-Based Chemotherapy

Jörg Schilling et al. Breast Care (Basel). 2022 Apr.

Abstract

Introduction: In a prospective non-interventional study involving 2,173 patients, we showed that use of the oral fixed combination of netupitant 300 mg and palonosetron 0.5 mg (NEPA) for prevention of chemotherapy (Ctx)-induced nausea and vomiting has beneficial effects on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with various types of cancers receiving highly or moderately emetogenic Ctx. Here, we report on the effects on QoL, effectiveness, and tolerability of NEPA in patients with breast cancer exposed to anthracycline-cyclophosphamide (AC)-based Ctx.

Methods: This is a post hoc subanalysis of a prospective non-interventional study in 1,197 patients with breast cancer receiving up to 3 cycles of doxorubicin or epirubicin plus cyclophosphamide and NEPA. NEPA administration was per the summary of product characteristics.

Results: In cycle 1 of Ctx, a large proportion of patients (84%) reported "no impact on daily life" (NIDL) due to vomiting; 53% of patients reported NIDL due to nausea. The complete response rate was 86/88/81% in the acute/delayed/overall phase in cycle 1, and NEPA was well tolerated throughout the study.

Conclusion: The real-world beneficial effects of NEPA prophylaxis on QoL were confirmed for patients with breast cancer receiving AC. NEPA was effective with a good safety profile in this patient population in clinical practice.

Keywords: Antiemetic; Breast cancer; Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting; NEPA; Netupitant; Palonosetron; Real-world.

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Conflict of interest statement

J.S.: honoraria, travel expenses, RIEMSER Pharma GmbH. C.M.K.: honoraria, Amgen, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Mundipharma, Pfizer, PharmaMar, RIEMSER, Roche, Tesaro; consulting or advisory role, Amgen, Axios, Eli Lilly, Hilotherm, Mundipharma, NewCo, Novartis, Pfizer, RIEMSER, Roche, Tesaro; research funding, AstraZeneca, Axios, MSD Sharp & Dohme (Merck), NewCo, Novartis, Pfizer, PharmaMar, RIEMSER, Seattle Genetics, Immunomedics; travel, accommodations, expenses, Amgen, Hexal, Immunomedics, Pfizer, PharmaMar, Tesaro, Teva Oncology. C.H.: advisory board, AstraZeneca, Lilly, Pfizer, Roche. S.B.: lectures, studies and support for congress participation, Amgen, Roche, Novartis, Pfizer, Riemser, Lilly, Clovis, GSK, Onkovis, AstraZeneca, MSD. M.H.: honoraria, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, iOMEDICO, MMF, Amgen; research funding, RIEMSER, Indivumed. J.K.-S. and D.R.: nothing to disclose. E.F.: RIEMSER employee. M.K.: ad board, travel grant, Helsinn Healthcare, RIEMSER Pharma GmbH.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Relative frequencies of patients experiencing no influence on daily life activities due to nausea, vomiting, or combined nausea and vomiting, by cycle: subanalysis population. NIDL, no impact on daily life.

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