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Nausea and emesis: evidence for a biobehavioral perspective
Gary R Morrow1, Joseph A Roscoe, Jane T Hickok
1Cancer Control Program, University of Rochester Cancer Center, Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 704, Rochester, NY 14641, USA. Gary_Morrow@URMC.Rochester.edu
Summary
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (NV) control is critical for cancer patients. While antiemetics manage vomiting effectively, they fall short for nausea, necessitating a combined biobehavioral approach for better patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Psychology
Background:
- Nausea and vomiting (NV) are common, distressing side effects of cancer chemotherapy.
- Current antiemetic drugs, like 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, are more effective for controlling vomiting than nausea.
- These drugs can be expensive and may lose effectiveness with repeated use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the limitations of current antiemetic therapies.
- To propose a biobehavioral framework integrating biological and psychological factors of NV.
- To develop a more comprehensive model for understanding and managing chemotherapy-induced NV.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing research on physiological and psychological origins of NV.
- Analysis of the efficacy of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists and previous antiemetic agents.
- Conceptual development of a biobehavioral model for NV.
Main Results:
- 5-HT3 receptor antagonists show significant efficacy in controlling chemotherapy-induced emesis, but not nausea.
- Existing research has progressed in parallel, focusing separately on biological and psychological interventions.
- A need exists to merge these approaches into a unified biobehavioral model.
Conclusions:
- A biobehavioral framework is essential for a holistic understanding of NV.
- Integrating biological and psychological insights will enhance the development of more effective NV interventions.
- This approach promises improved management of nausea and vomiting for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.