Mumbai’s Tata Memorial hospital reveals cost-effective solution to combat chemotherapy side effects – details inside

financialexpress.com:

In a progressive recent study at Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, a cost-effective method to control chemotherapy-induced vomiting has been discovered.

India’s largest cancer facility, TMC, has suggested that a potential low-dose Olanzapine (2.5 mg) can effectively control the vomiting induced by chemotherapy for cancer patients.

This discovery emerges as a beacon of hope for cancer patients grappling with the debilitating side effects of their treatment.

Chemotherapy, a crucial component of cancer therapy, frequently triggers nausea and vomiting. Although Olanzapine, an antipsychotic medication, has demonstrated effectiveness in mitigating these side effects, the standard dose (10 mg) brings along the troublesome side effect of excessive daytime sleepiness, hindering its widespread application.

Dr. Jyoti Bajpai, Professor of Medical Oncology at TMC and lead researcher, underscores the significance of this finding. Cancer-induced nausea often leads to extended periods of sleep, disrupting patients’ daily lives, including work and school commitments. Dr. Bajpai said in a conversation with The Sunday Express that excessive daytime sleepiness becomes a pervasive issue, impacting productivity, and attendance, and posing financial burdens as individuals struggle to maintain employment and academic responsibilities.

To address this concern, the research team embarked on innovative approaches to alleviate these adverse effects. The large-scale Phase 3 trial evaluated the efficacy of low-dose Olanzapine (2.5mg) against the standard dose (10mg) over a 4-day period, coupled with standard anti-vomiting drugs with reduced steroid content at TMC, Homi Bhabha National Institute.

The trial, conducted between February 9, 2021, and May 30,