Introduction

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is a distressing consequence of cancer chemotherapy. CINV not only has adverse effects on the quality-of-life, but also discourages the patients from continuation of cancer therapies. The current medications have short-acting duration and limited effect on the post-treatment nausea and vomiting. Recent guidelines recommend serotonin-3 receptor antagonists (5-HT3) as the first-line drugs for the prevention and treatment of CINV. The favorable efficacy and tolerability profile of ondansetron, a selective serotonin-3 receptor antagonist has made it an essential medication in CINV prophylaxis and treatment regimens.

Aim

To provide a comprehensive summary on the significance of ondansetron in improving the overall wellbeing and treatment experience in adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Method

Study Design

• Systematic review

Treatment Strategy

• An extensive search on ClinicalTrials.gov was conducted
• After a detailing screening, 13 clinical trials met the eligibility criteria and were included in this review

Results

• Analysis revealed substantial benefits of integrating ondansetron into the management of CINV
• Ondansetron was associated with significant efficacy in reducing the delayed and acute phases of nausea and vomiting triggered by chemotherapy regimens
• Ondansetron is often used synergistically with other antiemetic medications, thereby providing patients with a comprehensive strategy for effectively controlling the distressing symptoms associated with CINV
• The findings of this analysis revealed that ondansetron enhances the quality of life of the cancer patients and contributes to the understanding of the ondansetron effects of CINV

Conclusion

• Ondansetron significantly reduces chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, is well tolerated and enhances the quality-of-life in adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and hence should be considered as an essential medication in current cancer care strategies.

Front Pharmacol. 2023: 14:1310455. Doi: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1310455.