Asco Releases Updated Antiemetics Guideline

ASCO's most recent Clinical Practice Guideline, "Antiemetics in Oncology: Update 2006," is now available online. The revised guideline incorporates the Update Committee's recommendations based on review and analysis of antiemetic-specific data published from 1997 through February 2006. The literature included results from randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses of published phase II and phase III randomized controlled trials. The Committee also considered the guidelines and consensus statements from the International Antiemetic Consensus Conference, hosted by the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) in March 2004, at which representatives from nine international oncology organizations-including ASCO-established a guideline generation process.

The Update Committee concluded that clinicians who administer antiemetics should consider patients' emetic risk categories and other characteristics. Among the key topics addressed in the updated guideline are:

1. Emesis Caused by Intravenously Administered Antineoplastic Agents
2. Radiation-Induced Emesis

ASCO first published a guideline for the use of antiemetics in 1999. The Society's Health Services Committee and Board of Directors reviewed and approved the final draft of the 2006 guideline February 28, 2006. The Society considers adherence to these guidelines voluntary and expects that the administration of these therapies be applied appropriately in the clinical practice, but not within the context of clinical trials.



Posted by: Janet    Source