NEPA superior for CINV prevention-Helsin/Eisai

A Phase III study of patients with Breast Cancer receiving anthracycline-cyclophosphamide (AC) chemotherapy revealed that NEPA (netupitant and palonosetron), from Helsinn and Eisai, showed superior prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV) compared with palonosetron alone. A significantly greater proportion of NEPA-treated patients experienced no impact on daily living as a result of CINV, based on all domains of the Functional Living Index- Emesis (FILE) questionnaire.

NEPA showed superior complete response rates compared with palonosetron in the 0- to 24-hour phase (88% vs 85%) and 25- to 120-hour phase (77% vs 70%). On the FLIE questionnaire, a larger percentage of NEPA-treated patients reported no impact on daily life for nausea (72% for NEPA vs 66% for palonosetron), vomiting (0% vs 84%), and combined domains (79% vs 72%). NEPA was well tolerated with a similar safety profile to palonosetron. Results were presented at the 36th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.