[Value of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, particularly as anti-emetic drugs]

Several binding sites for serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were identified by using selective agonists and antagonists. Today, 5-HT3 receptor types are considered to occupy a critical position in the emetic pathway. The discovery of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists originated from metoclopramide, an antidopaminergic drug introduced in France 25 years before as a modifier of digestive motricity; it represents a therapeutic advance, since it led to the first class of antiemetic drugs specifically designed to prevent severe cytotoxic drugs-evoked emesis and devoid of noticeable side-effects. It must be emphasized upon the necessity of developing new experimental tests in living animals and performing controlled trials on patients under chemotherapy to achieve this progress.