[Granisetron, a new and potent antiemetic for treatment of cytostatic drug-induced vomiting in gynecological malignancies].

The efficacy of Granisetron, a new and selective 5HT3-receptor-antagonist in the treatment of cytostatic induced emesis, was tested in the department of gynaecology and obstetrics of the University of Essen on 77 patients. The patients received cytostatic drugs with a high emetogenic potency (for example cisplatin) or with a moderately high emetogenic potency (for example cyclophosphamide). We were able to demonstrate the high antiemetic efficacy of Granisetron. We had in 63% of the cases a "complete response" during the first 24 h after the chemotherapy and a "complete response" of 60% for the "delayed emesis". The observed adverse reactions such as constipation and headache were easily solved with standard laxatives or standard analgesics. Because of the high efficacy of Granisetron, which was combined with a low rate of side effects, it was possible to give to all the 77 patients the complete and necessary chemotherapy, so that no patient refused to receive the chemotherapy just because of nausea or emesis. The use of Granisetron is therefore a major step forward in the care of patients receiving chemotherapy because nausea and emesis can be treated effectively.