Palonosetron (Paloxi) , a new anti-emetic drug from Kalbe Farma

Symposium “The 1st Tulip Oncology Summit 2006” with the topic of “From Basic to Clinic: Empowering Translational Research” was held at Sheraton Hotel Yogyakarta on April 15-16, 2006. There were around 400 participants who consist of oncologists, general physicians and medical students.
There were several interesting topics delivered, such as the new medicine Palonosetron introduced by Dr. Zakitman Jack, SpPD-HKOM and sponsored by PT. Kalbe Farma with the topic of “A Novel 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonist for Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting”.

Hereby explained that nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy mostly is caused by the release of serotonin on the gastrointestinal mucosa, therefore the standard treatment for nausea and vomiting is based upon the serotonin antagonist. The anti-emetics from the class of serotonin antagonist which are currently available on the market do not have optimal effectivity. Therefore, PT Kalbe Farma marketed the most recent anti-emetic of serotonin antagonist class called Palonosetron. There are several advantages of Palonosetron from its pharmacological side, which has longer half life (up to 40 hours) therefore only needed once on the first day of chemotherapy with the effectivity up to days 5 and 6. Thus this can prevent the occurrence of nausea and vomiting acutely for the first 24 hours after chemotherapy up to 120 hours afterwards.
On the clinical trial phase III, Palonosetron 0.25mg compared with other serotonin antagonist such as Ondansetron and Dolasetron on the standard dose, Palonosetron has similar effectivity equal to those two drugs to prevent the side effects of nausea and vomiting within the first 24 hours. However, it is more effective after the first 24 hours of chemotherapy up to day 5 preventing the moderate and high emetogenic effect of chemotherapy.
In Indonesia, Palonosetron will launch soon with brand name: Paloxi