Trial Outcomes & Findings for Steroid-sparing Therapy (Olanzapine) Versus Dexamethasone-based Therapy for Chemotherapy-induced Nausea and Vomiting (NCT NCT05590923)

NCT ID: NCT05590923

Last Updated: 2026-09-02

Results Overview

The number of patients with Complete response (CR) over 120 hours following chemotherapy, where CR is the absence of emesis and no use of a rescue antiemetic medication, in the acute phase (\<24 hours following chemotherapy), delayed phase (≥24 hours but ≤120 hours following chemotherapy) and overall (≤ 120 hours following chemotherapy). Chemotherapy cycle length varied depending on the physician's decision, congruent with standard-of-care protocols for each cancer type.

Recruitment status

TERMINATED

Study phase

PHASE4

Target enrollment

23 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

120 hours following chemotherapy

Results posted on

2026-09-02

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
DEX Then Crossover to OLA
Participants in this arm will begin DEX (dexamethasone) on Cycle 1, then crossover to OLA (olanzapine) on Cycle 2. Cycle 1: dexamethasone (Decadron) 8 mg oral daily after chemotherapy cycle 1 on days 2-4 after HEC (or days 2-3 after MEC) Cycle 2: olanzapine 10 mg oral each night after chemotherapy cycle 2 on days 1-4 after HEC (or days 1-3 after MEC).
OLA Then Crossover to DEX
Participants in this arm will begin OLA (olanzapine) on Cycle 1, then crossover to DEX (dexamethasone) on Cycle 2. Cycle 1: Olanzapine (Zyprexa) 10 mg oral each night after chemotherapy cycle 1 on days 1-4 after HEC (or days 1-3 after MEC). Cycle 2: Dexamethasone (Decadron) 8 mg oral daily after chemotherapy cycle 2 on days 2-4 after HEC (or days 2-3 after MEC)
Overall Study
STARTED
12
11
Overall Study
COMPLETED
7
7
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
5
4

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
DEX Then Crossover to OLA
Participants in this arm will begin DEX (dexamethasone) on Cycle 1, then crossover to OLA (olanzapine) on Cycle 2. Cycle 1: dexamethasone (Decadron) 8 mg oral daily after chemotherapy cycle 1 on days 2-4 after HEC (or days 2-3 after MEC) Cycle 2: olanzapine 10 mg oral each night after chemotherapy cycle 2 on days 1-4 after HEC (or days 1-3 after MEC).
OLA Then Crossover to DEX
Participants in this arm will begin OLA (olanzapine) on Cycle 1, then crossover to DEX (dexamethasone) on Cycle 2. Cycle 1: Olanzapine (Zyprexa) 10 mg oral each night after chemotherapy cycle 1 on days 1-4 after HEC (or days 1-3 after MEC). Cycle 2: Dexamethasone (Decadron) 8 mg oral daily after chemotherapy cycle 2 on days 2-4 after HEC (or days 2-3 after MEC)
Overall Study
Withdrawal by Subject
1
2
Overall Study
Adverse Event
0
1
Overall Study
Physician Decision
3
0
Overall Study
Protocol Violation
1
1

Baseline Characteristics

Steroid-sparing Therapy (Olanzapine) Versus Dexamethasone-based Therapy for Chemotherapy-induced Nausea and Vomiting

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
DEX Then Crossover to OLA
n=12 Participants
Participants in this arm will begin DEX (dexamethasone) on Cycle 1, then crossover to OLA (olanzapine) on Cycle 2. Cycle 1: dexamethasone (Decadron) 8 mg oral daily after chemotherapy cycle 1 on days 2-4 after HEC (or days 2-3 after MEC) Cycle 2: olanzapine 10 mg oral each night after chemotherapy cycle 2 on days 1-4 after HEC (or days 1-3 after MEC).
OLA Then Crossover to DEX
n=11 Participants
Participants in this arm will begin OLA (olanzapine) on Cycle 1, then crossover to DEX (dexamethasone) on Cycle 2. Cycle 1: Olanzapine (Zyprexa) 10 mg oral each night after chemotherapy cycle 1 on days 1-4 after HEC (or days 1-3 after MEC). Cycle 2: Dexamethasone (Decadron) 8 mg oral daily after chemotherapy cycle 2 on days 2-4 after HEC (or days 2-3 after MEC)
Total
n=23 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
n=136 Participants
0 Participants
n=136 Participants
0 Participants
n=272 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
6 Participants
n=136 Participants
2 Participants
n=136 Participants
8 Participants
n=272 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
6 Participants
n=136 Participants
9 Participants
n=136 Participants
15 Participants
n=272 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
7 Participants
n=136 Participants
8 Participants
n=136 Participants
15 Participants
n=272 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
5 Participants
n=136 Participants
3 Participants
n=136 Participants
8 Participants
n=272 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
n=136 Participants
0 Participants
n=136 Participants
0 Participants
n=272 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants
n=136 Participants
1 Participants
n=136 Participants
1 Participants
n=272 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=136 Participants
0 Participants
n=136 Participants
0 Participants
n=272 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants
n=136 Participants
0 Participants
n=136 Participants
0 Participants
n=272 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
12 Participants
n=136 Participants
10 Participants
n=136 Participants
22 Participants
n=272 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
n=136 Participants
0 Participants
n=136 Participants
0 Participants
n=272 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=136 Participants
0 Participants
n=136 Participants
0 Participants
n=272 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 120 hours following chemotherapy

Population: Study was terminated without statistical analysis.

The number of patients with Complete response (CR) over 120 hours following chemotherapy, where CR is the absence of emesis and no use of a rescue antiemetic medication, in the acute phase (\<24 hours following chemotherapy), delayed phase (≥24 hours but ≤120 hours following chemotherapy) and overall (≤ 120 hours following chemotherapy). Chemotherapy cycle length varied depending on the physician's decision, congruent with standard-of-care protocols for each cancer type.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
DEX (Dexamethasone)
n=23 Participants
Participants in this arm received dexamethasone (Decadron) 8 mg oral daily following chemotherapy cycle 1 or 2, on days 2-4 after HEC (or days 2-3 after MEC).
OLA (Olanzapine)
n=23 Participants
Participants in this arm received olanzapine (Zyprexa) 10 mg oral each night following chemotherapy cycle 1 or 2, on days 1-4 after HEC (or days 1-3 after MEC).
Number of Patients With Complete Response (CR) Over 120 Hours Following Chemotherapy
9 Participants
14 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 120 hours following chemotherapy

Population: Study was terminated without statistical analysis.

The number of patients with Complete response (CC) over 120 hours following chemotherapy, where CC is no emesis, no rescue medication and no more than minimal nausea, in the acute phase (\<24 hours following chemotherapy), delayed phase (≥24 hours but ≤120 hours following chemotherapy) and overall (≤ 120 hours following chemotherapy). Chemotherapy cycle length varied depending on the physician's decision, congruent with standard-of-care protocols for each cancer type.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
DEX (Dexamethasone)
n=23 Participants
Participants in this arm received dexamethasone (Decadron) 8 mg oral daily following chemotherapy cycle 1 or 2, on days 2-4 after HEC (or days 2-3 after MEC).
OLA (Olanzapine)
n=23 Participants
Participants in this arm received olanzapine (Zyprexa) 10 mg oral each night following chemotherapy cycle 1 or 2, on days 1-4 after HEC (or days 1-3 after MEC).
Number of Patients With Complete Control (CC) Over 120 Hours Following Chemotherapy
9 Participants
13 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 120 hours following chemotherapy

Population: Study was terminated without statistical analysis.

The number of patients with Total control (TC) over 120 hours following chemotherapy, where TC is no emesis, no rescue medication, no nausea, in the acute phase (\<24 hours following chemotherapy), delayed phase (≥24 hours but ≤120 hours following chemotherapy) and overall (≤ 120 hours following chemotherapy). Chemotherapy cycle length varied depending on the physician's decision, congruent with standard-of-care protocols for each cancer type.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
DEX (Dexamethasone)
n=23 Participants
Participants in this arm received dexamethasone (Decadron) 8 mg oral daily following chemotherapy cycle 1 or 2, on days 2-4 after HEC (or days 2-3 after MEC).
OLA (Olanzapine)
n=23 Participants
Participants in this arm received olanzapine (Zyprexa) 10 mg oral each night following chemotherapy cycle 1 or 2, on days 1-4 after HEC (or days 1-3 after MEC).
Number of Patients With Total Control (TC) Over 120 Hours Following Chemotherapy
8 Participants
10 Participants

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: 120 hours after chemotherapy

Population: All participants who received intervention dose and responded to the post-treatment questionnaire. Not all patients responded to the survey questions so there were fewer responses collected than there were patients surveyed. Of the patients in Arm A (DEX), 19 responded to the survey questions and in Arm B (OLA), 17 responded to the survey questions. Study was terminated without statistical analysis.

The number of patients who reported severity of nausea and vomiting within 120 hours after chemotherapy through a self-reported questionnaire in which nausea was assessed on a Likert scale as none, mild or greater than mild. Chemotherapy cycle length varied depending on the physician's decision, congruent with standard-of-care protocols for each cancer type.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
DEX (Dexamethasone)
n=19 Participants
Participants in this arm received dexamethasone (Decadron) 8 mg oral daily following chemotherapy cycle 1 or 2, on days 2-4 after HEC (or days 2-3 after MEC).
OLA (Olanzapine)
n=17 Participants
Participants in this arm received olanzapine (Zyprexa) 10 mg oral each night following chemotherapy cycle 1 or 2, on days 1-4 after HEC (or days 1-3 after MEC).
Severity of Nausea and Vomiting Self-reported by Patient Questionnaire
None
12 Participants
11 Participants
Severity of Nausea and Vomiting Self-reported by Patient Questionnaire
Mild
5 Participants
6 Participants
Severity of Nausea and Vomiting Self-reported by Patient Questionnaire
Greater than Mild
2 Participants
0 Participants

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: 120 hours after chemotherapy

Population: All participants who received intervention dose and responded to the post-treatment questionnaire. Not all patients responded to the survey questions so there were fewer responses collected than there were patients surveyed. Of the patients in Arm A (DEX), 18 responded to the survey questions and in Arm B (OLA), 18 responded to the survey questions. Study was terminated without statistical analysis.

The number of patients who identified as experiencing the medication side effect of sedation within 120hrs of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy cycle length varied depending on the physician's decision, congruent with standard-of-care protocols for each cancer type.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
DEX (Dexamethasone)
n=18 Participants
Participants in this arm received dexamethasone (Decadron) 8 mg oral daily following chemotherapy cycle 1 or 2, on days 2-4 after HEC (or days 2-3 after MEC).
OLA (Olanzapine)
n=18 Participants
Participants in this arm received olanzapine (Zyprexa) 10 mg oral each night following chemotherapy cycle 1 or 2, on days 1-4 after HEC (or days 1-3 after MEC).
Sedation (Medication Side Effect)
12 Participants
14 Participants

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: 120 hours after chemotherapy

Population: All participants who received intervention dose and responded to the post-treatment questionnaire. Not all patients responded to the survey questions so there were fewer responses collected than there were patients surveyed. Of the patients in Arm A (DEX), 18 responded to the survey questions and in Arm B (OLA), 18 responded to the survey questions. Study was terminated without statistical analysis.

The number of patients who identified as experiencing the medication side effect of insomnia within 120hrs of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy cycle length varied depending on the physician's decision, congruent with standard-of-care protocols for each cancer type.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
DEX (Dexamethasone)
n=18 Participants
Participants in this arm received dexamethasone (Decadron) 8 mg oral daily following chemotherapy cycle 1 or 2, on days 2-4 after HEC (or days 2-3 after MEC).
OLA (Olanzapine)
n=18 Participants
Participants in this arm received olanzapine (Zyprexa) 10 mg oral each night following chemotherapy cycle 1 or 2, on days 1-4 after HEC (or days 1-3 after MEC).
Insomnia (Medication Side Effect)
8 Participants
5 Participants

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: 120 hours after chemotherapy

Population: All participants who received intervention dose and responded to the post-treatment questionnaire. Not all patients responded to the survey questions so there were fewer responses collected than there were patients surveyed. Of the patients in Arm A (DEX), 18 responded to the survey questions and in Arm B (OLA), 18 responded to the survey questions. Study was terminated without statistical analysis.

The number of patients who identified as experiencing the medication side effect of agitation within 120hrs of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy cycle length varied depending on the physician's decision, congruent with standard-of-care protocols for each cancer type.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
DEX (Dexamethasone)
n=18 Participants
Participants in this arm received dexamethasone (Decadron) 8 mg oral daily following chemotherapy cycle 1 or 2, on days 2-4 after HEC (or days 2-3 after MEC).
OLA (Olanzapine)
n=18 Participants
Participants in this arm received olanzapine (Zyprexa) 10 mg oral each night following chemotherapy cycle 1 or 2, on days 1-4 after HEC (or days 1-3 after MEC).
Agitation (Medication Side Effect)
5 Participants
2 Participants

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: 120 hours after chemotherapy

Population: All participants who received intervention dose and responded to the post-treatment questionnaire. Not all patients responded to the survey questions so there were fewer responses collected than there were patients surveyed. Of the patients in Arm A (DEX), 18 responded to the survey questions and in Arm B (OLA), 18 responded to the survey questions. Study was terminated without statistical analysis.

The number of patients who identified as experiencing the medication side effect of indigestion within 120hrs of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy cycle length varied depending on the physician's decision, congruent with standard-of-care protocols for each cancer type.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
DEX (Dexamethasone)
n=18 Participants
Participants in this arm received dexamethasone (Decadron) 8 mg oral daily following chemotherapy cycle 1 or 2, on days 2-4 after HEC (or days 2-3 after MEC).
OLA (Olanzapine)
n=18 Participants
Participants in this arm received olanzapine (Zyprexa) 10 mg oral each night following chemotherapy cycle 1 or 2, on days 1-4 after HEC (or days 1-3 after MEC).
Indigestion (Medication Side Effect)
8 Participants
8 Participants

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: 120 hours after chemotherapy

Population: All participants who received intervention dose and responded to the post-treatment questionnaire. Not all patients responded to the survey questions so there were fewer responses collected than there were patients surveyed. Of the patients in Arm A (DEX), 18 responded to the survey questions and in Arm B (OLA), 18 responded to the survey questions. Study was terminated without statistical analysis.

The number of patients who identified as experiencing the medication side effect of depression within 120hrs of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy cycle length varied depending on the physician's decision, congruent with standard-of-care protocols for each cancer type.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
DEX (Dexamethasone)
n=18 Participants
Participants in this arm received dexamethasone (Decadron) 8 mg oral daily following chemotherapy cycle 1 or 2, on days 2-4 after HEC (or days 2-3 after MEC).
OLA (Olanzapine)
n=18 Participants
Participants in this arm received olanzapine (Zyprexa) 10 mg oral each night following chemotherapy cycle 1 or 2, on days 1-4 after HEC (or days 1-3 after MEC).
Depression (Medication Side Effect)
2 Participants
1 Participants

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: 120 hours after chemotherapy

Population: All participants who received intervention dose and responded to the post-treatment questionnaire. Not all patients responded to the survey questions so there were fewer responses collected than there were patients surveyed. Of the patients in Arm A (DEX), 18 responded to the survey questions and in Arm B (OLA), 18 responded to the survey questions. Study was terminated without statistical analysis.

The number of patients who identified as experiencing the medication side effect of increased appetite within 120hrs of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy cycle length varied depending on the physician's decision, congruent with standard-of-care protocols for each cancer type.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
DEX (Dexamethasone)
n=18 Participants
Participants in this arm received dexamethasone (Decadron) 8 mg oral daily following chemotherapy cycle 1 or 2, on days 2-4 after HEC (or days 2-3 after MEC).
OLA (Olanzapine)
n=18 Participants
Participants in this arm received olanzapine (Zyprexa) 10 mg oral each night following chemotherapy cycle 1 or 2, on days 1-4 after HEC (or days 1-3 after MEC).
Increased Appetite (Medication Side Effect)
9 Participants
8 Participants

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: 120 hours after chemotherapy

Population: All participants who received intervention dose and responded to the post-treatment questionnaire. Not all patients responded to the survey questions so there were fewer responses collected than there were patients surveyed. Of the patients in Arm A (DEX), 18 responded to the survey questions and in Arm B (OLA), 18 responded to the survey questions. Study was terminated without statistical analysis.

The number of patients who identified as experiencing the medication side effect of decreased appetite within 120hrs of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy cycle length varied depending on the physician's decision, congruent with standard-of-care protocols for each cancer type.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
DEX (Dexamethasone)
n=18 Participants
Participants in this arm received dexamethasone (Decadron) 8 mg oral daily following chemotherapy cycle 1 or 2, on days 2-4 after HEC (or days 2-3 after MEC).
OLA (Olanzapine)
n=18 Participants
Participants in this arm received olanzapine (Zyprexa) 10 mg oral each night following chemotherapy cycle 1 or 2, on days 1-4 after HEC (or days 1-3 after MEC).
Decreased Appetite (Medication Side Effect)
5 Participants
6 Participants

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: 120 hours after chemotherapy

Population: All participants who received intervention dose and responded to the post-treatment questionnaire. Not all patients responded to the survey questions so there were fewer responses collected than there were patients surveyed. Of the patients in Arm A (DEX), 18 responded to the survey questions and in Arm B (OLA), 18 responded to the survey questions. Study was terminated without statistical analysis.

The number of patients who identified as experiencing the medication side effect of rash within 120hrs of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy cycle length varied depending on the physician's decision, congruent with standard-of-care protocols for each cancer type.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
DEX (Dexamethasone)
n=18 Participants
Participants in this arm received dexamethasone (Decadron) 8 mg oral daily following chemotherapy cycle 1 or 2, on days 2-4 after HEC (or days 2-3 after MEC).
OLA (Olanzapine)
n=18 Participants
Participants in this arm received olanzapine (Zyprexa) 10 mg oral each night following chemotherapy cycle 1 or 2, on days 1-4 after HEC (or days 1-3 after MEC).
Rash (Medication Side Effect)
3 Participants
2 Participants

Adverse Events

DEX (Dexamethasone)

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 1 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

OLA (Olanzapine)

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
DEX (Dexamethasone)
n=23 participants at risk
Participants in this arm received dexamethasone (Decadron) 8 mg oral daily following chemotherapy cycle 1 or 2, on days 2-4 after HEC (or days 2-3 after MEC).
OLA (Olanzapine)
n=23 participants at risk
Participants in this arm received olanzapine (Zyprexa) 10 mg oral each night following chemotherapy cycle 1 or 2, on days 1-4 after HEC (or days 1-3 after MEC).
Investigations
Adverse event resulting in elimination from study eligibility
4.3%
1/23 • Through study completion, an average of 30 days.
Adverse events follow the guidelines of ClinicalTrials.gov definitions
0.00%
0/23 • Through study completion, an average of 30 days.
Adverse events follow the guidelines of ClinicalTrials.gov definitions

Additional Information

Nicole Ink

The Guthrie Clinic

Phone: 5708874882

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place