Pro-netupitant/palonosetron (IV) for the treatment of radio-and-chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Prevention of nausea and vomiting is of paramount importance for ensuring that patients undergoing anticancer treatments have optimal quality of life. The oral fixed-dose combination of netupitant/palonosetron (NEPA) was developed to improve dual-targeted anti-emetic prophylaxis administration.

Areas covered: This article summarizes the available evidence for the pharmacology, safety, and efficacy of the new intravenous formulation of NEPA (IV NEPA). The clinical role of NEPA and future perspectives for anti-emetic research are also discussed.

Expert opinion: Each patient undergoing emetogenic anticancer treatments should receive guideline-consistent prophylaxis from the beginning of therapy. However, physicians may be nonadherent to guidelines in prescribing prophylaxis, while patients may be nonadherent in taking their medication as prescribed. Therefore, simplification of anti-emetic regimens with agents that are administered once per treatment cycle may contribute to improve guideline adherence by physicians and compliance with regimens by patients. IV NEPA may also help overcome potential logistical issues surrounding the oral administration of NEPA. While short-term olanzapine can improve control of nausea, it also causes transient but significantly increased sedation. This side effect as well as new evidence support further efforts to explore the overall potential of NEPA against nausea caused by either chemotherapy or concurrent chemo-radiotherapy.

KEYWORDS:

• Antiemetic
• CINV
• fosnetupitant
• NEPA
• netupitant
• palonosetron

Declaration of interest

L. Celio is on the advisory board of Italfarmaco S.p.A. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Reviewer disclosures

One referee declares that they serve on the advisory boards of Helsinn, Merck & Co., and Heron.

Additional information

Funding

This manuscript was not funded.