5-Hydroxytryptamine₃ receptor antagonists and cardiac side effects

Abstract

Introduction: 5-Hydroxytryptamine₃-receptor antagonists (5-HT₃-RA) are the most widely used antiemetics in oncology, and although tolerability is high, QT_C prolongation has been observed in some patients.

Areas covered: The purpose of this article is to outline the risk of cardiac adverse events (AEs) from 5-HT₃-RAs, with focus on the three most commonly used, ondansetron, granisetron and palonosetron.

Expert opinion: Most of the studies analyze electrocardiogram (ECG) changes after 5-HT₃-RA administrations in healthy, young adults, or in noncancer patients to treat postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Only a few studies have addressed ECG changes in cancer patients treated for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). Investigations in cancer patients are essential, because these patients are older and have a higher incidence of comorbidity, than those usually included in clinical trials. Furthermore, polypharmacy is frequent and drug–drug interactions between chemotherapy and other QTc-prolonging drugs may influence the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the 5-HT₃-RAs. During the next 10 – 15 years a huge increase in the number of cancer patients is expected, primarily in the group of 65-plus-year old. Therefore it will be crucial to address the incidence of cardiac AEs in cancer patients with known heart disease receiving chemotherapy and a 5-HT₃ RA for the prophylaxis of CINV.

Keywords::

• 5-Hydroxytryptamine₃-receptor antagonist
• cardiac adverse events
• cardiac side effects
• granisetron
• ondansetron
• palonosetron
• QT prolongation

Notes

This box summarizes key points contained in the article.