Dexamethasone as an Antiemetic During Cancer Chemotherapy
Authors: HANS W. GRUNWALD
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1984)

Letters and Corrections1 September 1984Dexamethasone as an Antiemetic During Cancer ChemotherapyHANS W. GRUNWALD, M.D., FRED ROSNER, M.D.HANS W. GRUNWALD, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, FRED ROSNER, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-101-3-398_1 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTo the editor: The report by Cassileth and associates (1) on the use of high-dose dexamethasone an an antiemetic during induction chemotherapy for patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia is of concern. We are not questioning the efficacy of high-dose corticosteroids in preventing emesis. We are only concerned about the potential risks to these patients. A significant proportion (if not most) of newly diagnosed patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia have moderate to severe neutropenia, and it is reasonable to maintain the function of the few remaining granulocytes intact. Corticosteroids interfere with microbicidal lysosomal enzyme release (2) and also with chemotaxis (3),...References1. CASSILETHLUSKTORRIGERSON PESS. Antiemetic efficacy of high-dose dexamethasone in induction therapy in acute nonlymphocytic leukemia. Ann Intern Med. 1984;100:701-2. LinkGoogle Scholar2. WEISSMAN G. Lysosomes and joint diseases. Arthritis Rheum. 1966;9:834. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. SOLBERG C. Phagocytic cells: their role in host defences. In: EASMON CSF, GAYA H, eds. Second International Symposium on Infections in the Immunocompromised Host. New York: Academic Press; 1983:63-8. Google Scholar4. ROBINSON H. Adrenal steroids and resistance to infection. Antibiot Chemother. 1960;7:199. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. CLINE M. Drugs and phagocytosis. N Engl J Med. 1974;291:1187-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar1. KEATINGSMITHMCCREDIE MTK. A four-year experience with anthracycline, cytosine arabinoside, vincristine and prednisone combination chemotherapy in 325 adults with acute leukemia. Cancer. 1981;47:2779-88. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. PETERSONBLOOMFIELDBOSL BCG. Intensive five-drug combination chemotherapy for adult acute non-lymphocytic leukemia. Cancer. 1980;46:663-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. WEINSTEINMAYERROSENTHAL HRD. Chemotherapy for acute myelogenous leukemia in children and adults: VAPA update. Blood. 1983;62:315-9. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Long Island Jewish-Hillside Medical Center Jamaica, NY 11432. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byMolecular relaxation dynamics and self-association of dexamethasone sodium phosphate solutionsProtective role of Allium cepa Linn (onion) juice on maternal dexamethasone induced alterations in reproductive functions of female offspring of Wistar ratsCorticosteroids, Dopamine Antagonists, and Other DrugsPresent Role of Corticosteroids as AntiemeticsCorticosteroids as Antiemetics 1 September 1984Volume 101, Issue 3Page: 398-398KeywordsAcute myeloid leukemiaCancer chemotherapyChemotaxisChemotherapyEnzymesGranulocytesNeutropenia Issue Published: 1 September 1984 PDF downloadLoading ...