Onkológia 4/2026

Antiemetic therapy – the key to tolerability of cancer treatment

Nausea and vomiting induced by anticancer treatment remain clinically relevant adverse effects despite significant advances in supportive care, with a substantial impact on patients’ quality of life and treatment tolerability. Effective control relies primarily on appropriately selected prophylaxis based on the emetogenic potential of anticancer treatment and individual patient-related risk factors. This review summarizes current knowledge on the mechanisms underlying nausea and vomiting, available pharmacological treatment options, and current recommendations for antiemetic prophylaxis. Particular attention is given to multiday chemotherapy, oral anticancer therapy, antibody–drug conjugates, and chemoradiotherapy, as well as the management of breakthrough, refractory, and anticipatory chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). Current developments are focused on more precise individualization of antiemetic prophylaxis and the identification of novel therapeutic targets.

Keywords: chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, antiemetic prophylaxis, emetogenic risk, antiemetics