The symptomatic control of cytostatic drug-induced emesis. A recent history and review.

This article outlines the historical development of anti-emetic therapies and reviews the pathophysiology and clinical aspects of cytostatic drug-induced vomiting. The methodology and the factors affecting the results of clinical trials with anti-emetics are discussed. Advances in knowledge of the role of 5-hydroxytryptamine in cytostatic drug-induced vomiting have improved current anti-emetic therapy with the development of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists such as granisetron. Early trials show granisetron to be a very effective anti-emetic and suggest useful advantages over the regimens currently considered to be standard therapy for prophylaxis and treatment of cytostatic drug-induced emesis.