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5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid excretion following combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, epirubicin and 5-fluorouracil plus ondansetron compared to ondansetron alone

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Abstract

The aim of the work was to evaluate the impact of cyclophosphamide and ondansetron on serotonin metabolism measured by urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) excretion. The pattern of urinary 5-HIAA excretion was analysed within 24 h following cyclophosphamide, epirubicin and 5-fluorouracil (FEC) chemotherapy (n =14), ondansetron as single agent (n=31), and in a control group (n=62). 5-HIAA was measured by a fluorescence/polarisation immunoassay. Both FEC and ondansetron alone induced a significantly higher 5-HIAA increase following the first 12 h after drug administration when compared to the control group. The comparison of quantitative variables of 5-HIAA excretion between FEC and ondansetron failed to reveal any statistical differences. Cyclophosphamide-based chemotherapy is associated with only minor increases of 5-HIAA excretion. Analysis of 5-HIAA excretion does not help in the description of the pathophysiology of cyclophosphamide-induced emesis. In contrast to experimental data, serotonin 3 receptor antagonism with ondansetron induces an increase of 5-HIAA excretion in humans.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynaecology, St. Vincentius Hospitals Karlsruhe, Südendstrasse 32, D-76137, Karlsruhe, Germany

    Andreas du Bois M.D.

  2. Centre for Data Analysis and Model Building, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 26–28, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany

    Werner Vach Ph.D.

  3. Department of Gynaecology, University of Freiburg, Hugstetterstrasse 55, D-79106, Freiburg, Germany

    Rolf Holy M.D. & Hanna Kriesinger-Schröder

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  1. Andreas du Bois M.D.
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  2. Werner Vach Ph.D.
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  3. Rolf Holy M.D.
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  4. Hanna Kriesinger-Schröder
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du Bois, A., Vach, W., Holy, R. et al. 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid excretion following combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, epirubicin and 5-fluorouracil plus ondansetron compared to ondansetron alone. Support Care Cancer 4, 384–389 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01788846

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