New 5-HT3 antagonist relieves chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting

Oncologists will soon be able to offer patients the first 5-HT3 receptor antagonist with an indication for delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). The FDA recently approved palonosetron (Aloxi, MGI Pharma/Helsinn Healthcare) injection for the prevention of acute nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately and highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy and the prevention of delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. Palonosetron will be available to patients within the next several weeks.