Who can enter
- Children with cancer who are being treated with chemotherapy
- Age: from 6 months through 18 years old
Goal
(Fos)aprepitant is an anti-nausea medication. The goal of this study is to see whether giving (fos)aprepitant longer works better in preventing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. We will also determine whether giving (fos)aprepitant longer is safe. In addition, we will explore which questionnaire is most appropriate to measure the severity of nausea.
Background
Nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy is one of the most common side effects in pediatric cancer treatment. The children are given supportive medication for this. However, in half of the children these side effects are not well controlled.
(Fos)aprepitant is a drug for nausea caused by chemotherapy. Aprepitant is given in a capsule. Fosaprepitant is the same drug, but is given by infusion.
(Fos)aprepitant is registered (approved) as a 3-day course, even if chemotherapy lasts longer and nausea persists even after three days. No previous study in children has examined whether this is the optimal treatment duration and thus whether it may be more effective to give aprepitant longer.
In this study, we will compare a treatment duration of 3 days with giving (fos)aprepitant throughout the duration of chemotherapy (4 to 8 days). With the result of the study, we hope to say whether giving (fos)aprepitant longer is safe and more effective against nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.