Aprepitant, granisetrone, and dexamethasone for prevention of CINV after high-dose melphalan in autologous transplantation: Results of a randomized, placebo-controlled phase III trial.

Abstract

9612 Background: Aprepitant (A) is a NK1-antagonist approved for prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). Though melphalan (M) is regarded only moderately emetogenic, CINV after high-dose M conditioning in autologous TPX can severely interfere with patients’ (pts) quality of life. Here we present the results of our monocentric, randomized (1:1), placebo-controlled, double-blind phase IIIb trial of A, granisetrone (G) and dexamethasone (D) in this setting. Methods: Pts were treated with A 125 mg po day 1, A 80 mg po days 2-4, G 2 mg po days 1-4 and D 4 mg po day 1, D 2 mg po days 2-3 (arm A) or placebo (P) days 1-4, G 2 mg po days 1-4 and D 8 mg day 1, D 4 mg days 2-3 (arm B). Melphalan 100 mg/m² iv was administered days 1-2. Episodes of emesis, modified functional living index – emesis questionnaire (FLIE) and intensity of nausea by visual analogue scale (VAS) were recorded between days 1-6. Primary endpoint was defined as no episode of vomiting and no additional antiemetic therapy within 120h of M administration. Results: Between 07/05 and 01/12 a total of 362 pts were randomized. 361 subjects (arm A=180; arm B=181; male n=229; female n=132; median age arm A=59.5 years; median age arm B=58 years) were available for the efficacy analysis. There were no significant differences in gender distribution and previous experience of CINV. Significantly less pts receiving A failed the primary endpoint (42% vs. 59%, OR=0.53 [0.34; 0.82], p=.0046). This effect was stressed in women (57% vs. 82%, OR=0.30) and patients with previous CINV (48% vs. 71%, OR=0.38). Emesis within 120h occurred in 22% of pts receiving A and 35% receiving P (OR=0.5 [0.31; 0.80], p=.0036). Though differences in overall nausea (16% vs. 22%, OR=0.65 [0.83; 1.10], p=.11) did not reach statistical significance, major nausea (VAS >25mm) was reduced (6% vs. 12%, OR=0.42 [0.19; 0.92], p=.026). Difference in FLIE score was -8.2 (p=.0007). Study medication was well tolerated. PK analyses showed no interaction between M and A. Conclusions: The combination therapy with A resulted in significantly less CINV compared to placebo. This effect was pronounced in women and pts with previous CINV. Clinical trial information: NCT00571168.