FLOT; To Be Treated as a Highly Emetogenic Regimen or a Moderately Emetogenic One? Comparison of the Emetogenic Potential of FLOT versus FOLFOX and TAC Regimens

Abstract PurposeThe current study aimed at investigating the efficacy of aprepitant-containing triple antiemetic regimen in FLOT (Fluorouracil+Leucovorin+Oxaliplatin+Docetaxel) recipients as well as the emetogenic potential of FLOT regimen, through comparison of nausea and vomiting rates in a moderately emetogenic chemotherapy, FLOT, and a highly emetogenic chemotherapy recipients.StudyPatients planned to receive one of FLOT, FOLFOX (Fluorouracil+Leucovorin+ Oxaliplatin/moderate-emetic-risk), or TAC (Docetaxel+Doxorubicin+Cyclophosphamide/high-emetic-risk) regimens were recruited. All patients were treated with the same triple antiemetic regimen containing aprepitant.ResultsA total of 165 chemotherapy-naïve patients (52 FLOT recipients) were eligible to enter the study. At the end of day five, “complete response” (primary efficacy endpoint) was achieved by 84.6%, 63.5%, and 61.5% of the FLOT-receiving patients in acute, delayed, and overall phases, respectively. A significant difference was seen among the odds of FLOT recipients and FOLFOX recipients concerning “complete response” achievement in delayed (p=0.014) and overall (p=0.017) phases, “no emesis” in delayed (p=0.018) and overall (p=0.010) phases, also “complete protection” in acute (p=0.023), delayed (p=0.009) and overall (p=0.006) phases; however, the difference between the odds of FLOT recipients and TAC recipients, in relation to achieving these endpoints was insignificant. FLOT group showed significantly faster time-to-antiemetic regimen failure and time-to-first emetic episode in comparison to the FOLFOX group, which was insignificant in comparison to the TAC group.ConclusionAccording to the findings, FLOT has to be considered as a high-emetic-risk regimen. To better management of highly emetogenic regimens, antiemetic guidelines recommend adding olanzapine to aprepitant-containing triple antiemetic regimen besides continuing dexamethasone and olanzapine administration on days 2-4.