Nakashima K, Yokomizo A, Murakami M, Okita K, Wada M, Iino K, Akechi T, Iihara H, Imamura CK, Okuyama A, Ozawa K, Kim YI, Sasaki H, Satomi E, Takeda M, Tanaka R, Nakajima TE, Nakamura N, Nishimura J, Noda M, Hayashi K, Higashi T, Boku N, Matsumoto K, Matsumoto Y, Yamamoto N, Aogi K, and Abe M
Background: Palonosetron, a second-generation 5-HT 3 receptor antagonist (5-HT 3 RA), is more effective than first-generation 5-HT 3 RA. Several studies have investigated whether dexamethasone (DEX), when combined with palonosetron as a 5-HT 3 RA, can be spared in the delayed phase after moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC). In this systematic review, we aimed to determine which between 1- and 3-day DEX administration, when combined with palonosetron, is more useful in patients receiving MEC., Methods: The PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Ichushi-Web databases were searched for relevant studies published between 1990 and 2020. We included studies that compared the efficacy of 1- and 3-day DEX administration in preventing nausea and vomiting associated with MEC. Outcomes were "prevention of vomiting (complete response rate and no vomiting rate)," "prevention of nausea" (complete control rate, total control rate, no nausea rate, and no clinically significant nausea rate)" in the delayed phase, "prevention of blood glucose level elevation," and "prevention of osteoporosis.", Results: Eight studies were included in this systematic review. The no vomiting rate was significantly higher in the 3-day DEX group than in the 1-day DEX group. However, the other efficacy items did not significantly differ between the two groups. Meanwhile, insufficient evidence was obtained for "prevention of blood glucose level elevation" and "prevention of osteoporosis.", Conclusions: No significant differences in most antiemetic effects were found between 1- and 3-day DEX administration. Thus, DEX administration could be shortened from 3 days to 1 day when used in combination with palonosetron., Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of interest: Kazuhisa Nakashima received honoraria from Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., AstraZeneca K.K., and Eli Lilly Japan K.K. Michiyasu Murakami received honoraria from Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Eriko Satomi received honoraria from Shionogi & Co., Ltd. Masayuki Takeda received honoraria from Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., AstraZeneca K.K., Novartis Pharma K.K., Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Bayer. Takako Eguchi Nakajima received research funding from KBBM, Inc. and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Junichi Nishimura received honoraria from Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Narikazu Boku received honoraria from Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Bristol Myers Squibb, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Eli Lilly Japan K.K. Koji Matsumoto received honoraria from MSD K.K., Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., and Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. as well as research funding from Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., MSD K.K., Gilead Sciences, Inc., and Eli Lilly Japan K.K. Nobuyuki Yamamoto received honoraria from MSD K.K., Accuray Japan K.K., AstraZeneca K.K., Abbvie Inc., Amgen Inc., Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Guardant Health Japan Corp., Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Chugai Foundation for Innovative Drug Discovery Science, Lao Tsumura Co., Ltd., Terumo Corporation, Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd., Novartis AG, Pfzer Global Supply Japan Inc., Merck Biopharma Co., Ltd, Pfzer Global Supply Japan Inc., Merck Biopharma Co., Ltd., Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., and USACO Corporation, as well as legal fees in case of lawsuit from Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Boehringer Ingelheim Japan, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd., Prime Research Institute for Medical RWD, Inc., AstraZeneca K.K., and A2 Healthcare Corporation. Other authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. Ethical approval: Not applicable. Informed consent: Formal consent was not required for this type of study. Consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent for publication: All authors consented to the publication of this study., (© 2024. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Japan Society of Clinical Oncology.)