Auricular Point Stimulation Plus Dexamethasone Versus Standard Antiemetic Regimen for Nausea and Vomiting Caused by Gemcitabine Combined With Paclitaxel Protein-bound

Overview

This study aims to evaluate whether the preventive and suppressive effects of auricular point stimulation combined with dexamethasone on nausea and vomiting induced by the gemcitabine plus paclitaxel protein-bound regimen are non-inferior to the standard antiemetic regimen in pancreatic cancer treatment. Additionally, it will assess patients' appetite, gastrointestinal function, and other related indicators, and explore the significant role of integrated traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine interventions in improving patients' quality of life during chemotherapy, thereby providing a clinical reference for optimizing the management of adverse reactions of this chemotherapy regimen. The main questions it aims to answer are: Whether the preventive and suppressive effects of auricular point stimulation combined with dexamethasone on nausea and vomiting induced by the gemcitabine plus paclitaxel protein-bound regimen are non-inferior to the standard antiemetic regimen? In comparison with a standard pharmacologic antiemetic regimen, does auricular point stimulation plus dexamethasone effectively reduce the incidence of appetite loss, weakened or disordered gastrointestinal function, and other uncomfortable conditions? Pancreatic cancer patients receiving adjuvant or palliative chemotherapy with the gemcitabine plus paclitaxel protein-bound regimen after surgery will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the auricular point stimulation group or the standard pharmacologic antiemetic regimen group. Patients in the auricular point stimulation group will: Receive auricular acupressure with bean seeds on specific points of one ear, plus intravenous injection of dexamethasone as a preventive antiemetic treatment within half an hour before chemotherapy. Starting from the day of chemotherapy (Day 1) to the following five days (Day 1-Day 5), provide regular stimulation at the acupressure points daily by themselves according to the protocol provided in this trial. Record their nausea and vomiting status, appetite, and gastrointestinal function-related symptomatic indicators from Day 1 to Day 5. Oral antiemetics are also prepared. If nausea and vomiting are significant or the patient feels the need, they may be temporarily administered as an adjunct. Patients in the standard pharmacologic antiemetic regimen group will: Receive the standard pharmacologic antiemetic regimen chosen by their physicians according to clinical guidelines.

Gemcitabine combined with paclitaxel protein-bound is currently one of the commonly used chemotherapy regimens for postoperative adjuvant and palliative treatment of pancreatic cancer. While it improves patient survival rates, it is also associated with certain gastrointestinal adverse reactions. Chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting are relatively common, with an incidence of approximately 10%. The majority of these symptoms occur on the day of administration and within the following four days. This regimen is currently classified as a low-emetogenic-risk treatment in clinical guidelines. The recommended prophylactic antiemetic strategy typically involves corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone) and/or 5-HT3 receptor antagonists (e.g., ondansetron, palonosetron). In clinical practice, single-agent antiemetic therapy often fails to effectively prevent delayed nausea and vomiting. Consequently, most physicians opt for dual-agent antiemetic therapy. However, excessive use of antiemetics frequently leads to drug-related gastrointestinal adverse reactions such as anorexia, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. Studies have shown that the incidence of constipation in chemotherapy patients treated with palonosetron nearly doubles. The intensive use of antiemetics severely impacts patients' gastrointestinal function, quality of life, and even their treatment adherence. Therefore, how to effectively prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting while minimizing the side effects of antiemetic therapy itself has become a practical issue that healthcare professionals urgently need to address. Auricular point pressotherapy is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) external therapy. It involves accurately pasting Vaccaria seeds on corresponding auricular points with adhesive tapes and stimulating the points through moderate pressing to regulate physical functions and treat diseases. According to TCM theory, the ear is closely connected to the internal organs and meridians of the human body, and all twelve meridians are directly or indirectly linked to the ear. Auricular point pressotherapy can unblock meridians and balance yin and yang by stimulating corresponding auricular points, thereby alleviating CINV and other adverse reactions. It is an economical, non-invasive, and low-side-effect natural therapy. Meanwhile, auricular point pressotherapy can effectively improve gastrointestinal function, thus significantly reducing gastrointestinal dysfunction caused by chemotherapy and antiemetic drugs, such as anorexia, abdominal distension, constipation, and diarrhea. Our team summarized the relevant data of patients who voluntarily received auricular point pressotherapy for antiemesis previously. The results showed that among pancreatic cancer patients who received gemcitabine combined with paclitaxel protein-bound for postoperative adjuvant or palliative therapy, 100% of those treated with auricular point pressotherapy plus dexamethasone did not experience grade 2 or above (including grade 2) nausea and had no vomiting on the day of medication and within 3 days thereafter. Based on the above theoretical and practical basis, this study intends to evaluate whether the preventive and suppressive effects of auricular point stimulation combined with dexamethasone on the CINV induced by the gemcitabine plus paclitaxel protein-bound regimen are non-inferior to the standard antiemetic regimen. Additionally, it will assess patients' appetite, gastrointestinal function, and other related indicators, and explore the significant role of integrated traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine interventions in improving patients' quality of life during chemotherapy, thereby providing a clinical reference for optimizing the management of adverse reactions of this chemotherapy regimen.