Published

NK-1 and 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, plus other prophylactic antiemetics, were recommended and given prior to the first zolbetuximab infusion in Phase 3 trials.

The SPOTLIGHT and GLOW clinical trial protocols recommended the use of NK-1 and 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, as well as other prophylactic antiemetics, per institutional standards of care and published guidelines, before zolbetuximab/placebo infusions.1,2

  • Intravenous antiemetic premedication was recommended prior to zolbetuximab/placebo infusion while oral premedication was suggested ≥ 30 minutes before each study treatment.

Combined ad hoc exploratory analyses examined prophylactic antiemetic regimens used and incidence rates of nausea/vomiting on Cycle 1, Day 1 in SPOTLIGHT and GLOW.3  Various combinations of antiemetics were administered before zolbetuximab/placebo infusions.

  • Using a 3-drug prophylactic antiemetic regimen before zolbetuximab, 75.3% (73/97) of patients did not experience vomiting, and 60.8% (59/97) of patients did not experience nausea.
  • Using a 2-drug prophylactic antiemetic regimen before zolbetuximab, 58.9% (165/280) of patients did not experience vomiting and 51.4% (144/280) did not experience nausea.
  • Patients who received steroids as part of a 2- or 3-drug antiemetic regimen had lower rates of nausea and vomiting, and an ad hoc analysis found that patients treated with zolbetuximab + steroids had numerically higher PFS and OS compared to those who received zolbetuximab without steroids.

Table 1. Use of prophylactic antiemetics and occurrence of nausea or vomiting on the day of the first zolbetuximab infusiona,3 

Use of prophylactic antiemetics, n (%)

n

With nausea

Without nausea

With vomiting

Without vomiting

Any antiemetics

Yes

521

242

279

213

308

No

8

4

4

4

4

Standard antiemetic regimensb

377

174 (46.2)

203 (53.8)

139 (36.9)

238 (63.1)

2-drug antiemetic regimens

NK-1 receptor antagonist + 5-HT3 receptor antagonist

187

94 (50.3)

93 (49.7)

70 (37.4)

117 (62.6)

5-HT3 receptor antagonist + steroid

93

42 (45.2)

51 (54.8)

45 (48.4)

48 (51.6)

3-drug antiemetic regimens

NK-1 receptor antagonist+ 5-HT3 receptor antagonist + steroid

97

38 (39.2)

59 (60.8)

24 (24.7)

73 (75.3)

Other antiemetic regimensc

144

68 (47.2)

76 (52.8)

74 (51.4)

70 (48.6)

aData represent the combined analysis of SPOTLIGHT and GLOW.

bGiven that sample sizes beyond three-drug antiemetic regimens were small, various combinations of antiemetics not commonly used may not have been captured. Antiemetic regimens were excluded if not accurately documented as prophylactic or concomitant medication.

cIncludes patients with less-common combinations of antiemetics as prophylactic or concomitant medications.

Table 2. Use of prophylactic antiemetics and the occurrence of nausea or vomiting on the day of the first placebo infusiona,3  

Use of prophylactic antiemetics, n (%)

n

With nausea

Without nausea

With vomiting

Without vomiting

Any antiemetics

Yes

522

62

460

16

506

No

4

0

4

0

4

Standard antiemetic regimensb

375

48 (12.8)

327 (87.2)

9 (2.4)

366 (97.6)

2-drug antiemetic regimens

NK-1 receptor antagonist + 5-HT3 receptor antagonist

201

35 (17.4)

166 (82.6)

8 (4.0)

193 (96.0)

5-HT3 receptor antagonist + steroid

89

6 (6.7)

83 (93.3)

1 (1.1)

88 (98.9)

3-drug antiemetic regimens

NK-1 receptor antagonist+ 5-HT3 receptor antagonist + steroid

85

7 (8.2)

78 (91.8)

0

85 (100.0)

Other antiemetic regimensc

147

14 (9.5)

133 (90.5)

7 (4.8)

140 (95.2)

aData represent the combined analysis of SPOTLIGHT and GLOW.

bGiven that sample sizes beyond three-drug antiemetic regimens were small, various combinations of antiemetics not commonly used may not have been captured. Antiemetic regimens were excluded if not accurately documented as prophylactic or concomitant medication.

cIncludes patients with uncommon combinations of antiemetics as prophylactic or concomitant medications.

The prophylactic antiemetics given to ≥ 5% of patients may be accessed using the link below:4

  1. Shah MA, Shitara K, Ajani JA, et al. Supplement to: Zolbetuximab plus CAPOX in CLDN18.2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma: the randomized, phase 3 GLOW trial. Nat Med. 2023;29(8):2133-2141. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-023-02465-7.
  2. Shitara K, Lordick F, Bang YJ, et al. Supplement to: Zolbetuximab plus mFOLFOX6 in patients with CLDN18.2-positive, HER2-negative, untreated, locally advanced unresectable or metastatic gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (SPOTLIGHT): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2023;401(10389):1655-1668. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(23)00620-7.
  3. Shitara K, Smith E, Lordick F, et al. Impact and effective management of nausea/vomiting on patients treated with zolbetuximab + chemotherapy: insights from the phase III SPOTLIGHT and GLOW studies. ESMO Open. 2026;epub ahead of print105931. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esmoop.2025.105931.
  4. Data on File.
find-my-msl

Find My MSL

Medical Science Liaisons are available to help answer your scientific questions.

submit

Submit an Inquiry

For any medical inquiries, please submit your question online to Astellas Medical Information or call or fax your inquiry.

Astellas Phone: 1-800-727-7003

Fax: 1-877-829-7942

adverse

Report an Adverse Event or Product Complaint

Report adverse events and product complaints to Astellas or FDA MedWatch.

Astellas Phone: 1-800-727-7003

FDA MedWatch: 1-800-FDA-1088

Hours: M–F, 8 AM–4:30 PM (CT)