Objective:

To review the current literature assessing the efficacy of different antiemetics, with a focus on comparison between serotonin (5-HT₃) antagonists and other antiemetics, in the treatment of delayed emesis induced by either cisplatin or non-cisplatin cytotoxic agents.

Data Sources:

A MEDLINE search (1966–July 2002) was performed using delayed emesis, vomiting, nausea, chemotherapy, cisplatin, moderately emetogenic, selective serotonin subtype-3 (5-HT₃) receptor antagonists, metoclopramide, domperidone, corticosteroids, dexamethasone, prognostic factors, risk factors, and neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor antagonists as key words or subject headings. Only English-language articles were identified and included. Additional references were retrieved from selected articles.

Data Synthesis:

Various antiemetic consensus guidelines have recommended the use of different pharmacologic treatment, including the use of 5-HT₃ antagonists, for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced delayed emesis. In some instances, it has been suggested that combinations containing a 5-HT₃ antagonist may be superior to others. Current data have been synthesized in an attempt to demonstrate the efficacy of 5-HT₃ antagonists in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced delayed emesis.

Conclusions:

Dexamethasone has consistently shown its antiemetic efficacy for delayed emesis induced by cisplatin and non-cisplatin agents, whereas the role of 5-HT₃ antagonists alone remains controversial. Metoclopramide has been shown to be as efficacious as 5-HT₃ antagonists when combined with dexamethasone for the prevention of delayed emesis. As a result, 5-HT₃ antagonists should be reserved as second-line agents to metoclopramide in addition to dexamethasone. NK1 receptor antagonists have shown some early promising results. However, many questions need to be addressed before their extensive use in clinical practice.