Olver, I., Clark-Snow, R.A., Ballatori, E., Espersen, B.T., Bria, E., & Jordan, K. (2011). Guidelines for the control of nausea and vomiting with chemotherapy of low or minimal emetic potential. Supportive Care in Cancer, 19(Suppl 1), S33–S36.

To review the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) guidelines for low- or minimal-emetic potential anticancer agents

Experts from MASCC met in Perugia in 2009 to revise the MASCC consensus guideline.

Searched keywords were antiemetic, low, minimal, guidelines, chemotherapy, dexamethasone, 5-HT₃ receptor antagonists, and dopamine receptor antagonists

Studies were included in the review if they involved chemotherapeutic agents with low or minimal emetic potential.

Studies were excluded from the review if they involved agents with moderate or high emetic potential.

The guidelines apply to multiple phases of care.

This review has applications for elderly and palliative care.

For chemotherapy with minimal emetic potential, the following is recommended.

• No antiemetic prophylaxis should be given in patients with no prior history of nausea and vomiting.
• Single-agent dexamethasone, 5-HT₃, or dopamine receptor antagonists should be given for nausea and vomiting.

For chemotherapy with low emetic potential, single-agent dexamethasone, 5-HT₃, or dopamine receptor antagonists should be administered.

More data is needed on the emetic potential and outcomes related to newer agents in oncology. A lack of clinical data is available on the emetic potential of some agents (e.g., cytotoxics, newer targeted agents), and the emetic potential has not been divided into acute or delayed.