Sanford oncologist co-authors game-changing research on chemotherapy-induced nausea

BY LISA GIBSON

Astudy co-authored by Sanford Health oncology physician

Steven Powell has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the most widely read and influential general medicine journal in the world. So research results published there are often considered largely impactful to patients and doctors — “practice-changing,” Powell says.

His work analyzed the ability of olanzapine, which is FDAapproved to treat schizophrenia, to prevent nausea in patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer. The drug was chosen for the study because doctors recognized it was increasing appetites and weight gain in patients taking it as an antipsychotic, Powell says. When prescribed to chemo patients, it showed “profound benefits,” as it blocks neurotransmitters that cause nausea, he says.

In the study, researchers found that 74 percent of the participants experienced no nausea or vomiting when their chemotherapy was paired with olanzapine, according to Sanford Health. When a placebo was used, the figure dropped to 45 percent. Participants in the study were receiving some of the most aggressive chemotherapy treatments available, Powell tells Prairie Business. In addition, olanzapine is a generic, priced at about 50 cents per pill, so it’s affordable and accessible.

“We’ve long known the nausea and vomiting that come along with chemotherapy are a major problem and affect the quality of life of our patients,” Powell says in a statement. “The findings of this study, fortunately, provide physicians with a tool to better address the needs of those they are treating for cancer.”

Powell tells Prairie Business that Sanford has used olanzapine regularly to help cancer patients cope with their treatments. The recognition of the study — Olanzapine for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting — in the New England Journal of Medicine means more cancer patients can benefit from it. PB

Lisa Gibson Editor, Prairie Business 701.787.6753