Global BulletinAll NewsFDA Approval AlertWomen in Oncology
Expert InterviewsAround the PracticeBetween the LinesFace OffFrom All AnglesMeeting of the MindsOncViewPodcastsTraining AcademyTreatment Algorithms with the Oncology BrothersVideos
Conferences
All JournalsEditorial BoardFor AuthorsYear in Review
Frontline ForumSatellite Sessions
CME/CE
Awareness MonthInteractive ToolsNurse Practitioners/Physician's AssistantsPartnersSponsoredSponsored Media
Career CenterSubscribe
Adverse Effects
Brain Cancer
Breast CancerBreast CancerBreast Cancer
Gastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal Cancer
Genitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary Cancers
Gynecologic CancersGynecologic CancersGynecologic CancersGynecologic Cancers
Head & Neck Cancer
Hematologic OncologyHematologic OncologyHematologic OncologyHematologic Oncology
InfectionInfection
Leukemia
Lung CancerLung CancerLung Cancer
Lymphoma
Neuroendocrine Tumors
Oncology
Pediatric Cancers
Radiation Oncology
Sarcoma
Screening
Skin Cancer & Melanoma
Surgery
Thyroid Cancer
Spotlight -
  • Radiation Oncology
  • Surgery
Adverse Effects
Brain Cancer
Breast CancerBreast CancerBreast Cancer
Gastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal Cancer
Genitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary Cancers
Gynecologic CancersGynecologic CancersGynecologic CancersGynecologic Cancers
Head & Neck Cancer
Hematologic OncologyHematologic OncologyHematologic OncologyHematologic Oncology
InfectionInfection
Leukemia
Lung CancerLung CancerLung Cancer
Lymphoma
Neuroendocrine Tumors
Oncology
Pediatric Cancers
Radiation Oncology
Sarcoma
Screening
Skin Cancer & Melanoma
Surgery
Thyroid Cancer
    • Conferences
    • CME/CE
    • Career Center
    • Subscribe

Your AI-Trained Oncology Knowledge Connection!

scout
Advertisement

Ginger quells chemotherapy-related nausea

June 15, 2009
By Caroline Helwick
Publication
Article
OncologyONCOLOGY Vol 18 No 6
Volume 18
Issue 6

ORLANDO-Ginger has been used for years to treat gastrointestinal upset, but for the first time, a large double-blind multicenter randomized study has shown ginger supplements can successfully stem chemotherapy-related nausea, University of Rochester in New York investigators reported at ASCO 2009 (abstract 9511). Some 70% of patients experience nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy. While vomiting can largely be prevented with anti-emetics, nausea is typically more difficult to prevent and treat.

ORLANDO-Ginger has been used for years to treat gastrointestinal upset, but for the first time, a large double-blind multicenter randomized study has shown ginger supplements can successfully stem chemotherapy-related nausea, University of Rochester in New York investigators reported at ASCO 2009 (abstract 9511). Some 70% of patients experience nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy. While vomiting can largely be prevented with anti-emetics, nausea is typically more difficult to prevent and treat.

Julie L. Ryan, PhD, MPH, reported the results of the NCI-funded study of 644 patients (two-thirds with breast cancer). Starting three days prior to the first chemotherapy infusion, patients were randomized to receive placebo or ginger in capsule form (0.5 g, 1.0 g, or 1.5 g) divided into two doses daily for six days, plus standard anti-emetics, for two cycles. Patients rated their nausea on a scale of 1 (none) to seven (extreme) at various times of day during the first four days of the treatment cycle.

All doses of ginger significantly reduced nausea, according to the results. The largest reduction occurred with 0.5 g and 1.0 g, amounting to approximately a 40% reduction from baseline nausea in patients receiving these doses (P = .003). Most patients receiving placebo rated nausea a 4-5 while most ginger recipients gave it a rating of 1-2. Nausea diminished significantly over the first 24 hours (P < .001). The duration of ginger’s effect, although not as remarkable, continued for the next couple of days, reported Dr. Ryan, who is an assistant professor of dermatology and radiation oncology.

She noted that 1.0 g of ginger is equal to about a half teaspoon of loose ginger. The investigators believe that the response may be the result of ginger’s potent and direct anti-inflammatory effect on the gastrointestinal tract. It is unknown whether ginger in other forms would have the same effect, she said.

“A reduction in nausea should improve the quality of life of cancer patients during chemotherapy,” Dr. Ryan concluded. Douglas Blayney, MD, ASCO president and medical director at University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center in Ann Arbor, said that “this is interesting information for those patients who often ask their oncologists if there is anything else they can do to deal with this side effect of chemotherapy.”

Articles in this issue

Ginger quells chemotherapy-related nausea
Current Status of Adjuvant Therapy for Colorectal Cancer
Monoclonal Antibodies: The Foundation of Therapy for Colorectal Cancer in the 21st Century?
Defining the Role of Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Current Status of Adjuvant Therapy for Colorectal Cancer
Monoclonal Antibodies: The Foundation of Therapy for Colorectal Cancer in the 21st Century?
Current Status of Adjuvant Therapy for Colorectal Cancer
Defining the Role of Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Monoclonal Antibodies: The Foundation of Therapy for Colorectal Cancer in the 21st Century?
Current Strategies in Previously Untreated Advanced Colorectal Cancer
Defining the Role of Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Current Strategies in Previously Untreated Advanced Colorectal Cancer

Newsletter

Stay up to date on recent advances in the multidisciplinary approach to cancer.

Subscribe Now!
Recent Videos
4 experts in this video
5 experts are featured in this series
2 experts are featured in this series.
2 experts are featured in this series.
4 experts in this video
5 experts are featured in this series
Related Content

Potential Biomarker May Predict Outcomes/Response in RCC

Potential Biomarker May Predict Outcomes/Response in RCC

Kyle Doherty
July 18th 2025
Article

A new biomarker, KIM-1, has the potential to show outcomes and response for patients with renal cell carcinoma.


According to Jorge Nieva, MD, taletrectinib may be a primary frontline therapy option for those with ROS1-positive non–small cell lung cancer.

Taletrectinib Approval Expands Options in Advanced/Metastatic ROS1+ NSCLC

Jorge Nieva, MD
July 14th 2025
Podcast

According to Jorge Nieva, MD, taletrectinib may be a primary frontline therapy option for those with ROS1-positive non–small cell lung cancer.


Data from the KEYNOTE-B61 trial demonstrate antitumor activity across histologic subtypes, including those with papillary and chromophobe disease.

Pembrolizumab Combo Yields Enduring Activity in Advanced Non-Clear Cell RCC

Russ Conroy
July 18th 2025
Article

Data from the KEYNOTE-B61 trial demonstrate antitumor activity across histologic subtypes, including those with papillary and chromophobe disease.


Best Practices for the Medical Oncology Boards

Best Practices for the Medical Oncology Boards

Eric Singhi, MD;Nicholas James Hornstein, MD, PhD;Marc Braunstein, MD, PhD;Nerea M. Lopetegui-Lia, MD;MinhTri Nguyen, MD
July 7th 2025
Podcast

A group of clinicians gives study advice on how to best prepare for the medical oncology board examinations.


Metastasis-Directed RT Without Systemic Therapy Improved Efficacy in RCC

Metastasis-Directed RT Without Systemic Therapy Improved Efficacy in RCC

Tim Cortese
July 18th 2025
Article

Stereotactic body radiotherapy is less expensive and has demonstrated an improved safety profile vs immunotherapy and tyrosine kinase inhibitors.


Data from a Q-TWiST analysis of the LITESPARK-005 trial provide additional evidence for the use of belzutifan in those with advanced renal cell carcinoma.

Belzutifan Improves Quality-Adjusted Survival Time in Advanced RCC

Russ Conroy
July 18th 2025
Article

Data from a Q-TWiST analysis of the LITESPARK-005 trial provide additional evidence for the use of belzutifan in those with advanced renal cell carcinoma.

Related Content

Potential Biomarker May Predict Outcomes/Response in RCC

Potential Biomarker May Predict Outcomes/Response in RCC

Kyle Doherty
July 18th 2025
Article

A new biomarker, KIM-1, has the potential to show outcomes and response for patients with renal cell carcinoma.


According to Jorge Nieva, MD, taletrectinib may be a primary frontline therapy option for those with ROS1-positive non–small cell lung cancer.

Taletrectinib Approval Expands Options in Advanced/Metastatic ROS1+ NSCLC

Jorge Nieva, MD
July 14th 2025
Podcast

According to Jorge Nieva, MD, taletrectinib may be a primary frontline therapy option for those with ROS1-positive non–small cell lung cancer.


Data from the KEYNOTE-B61 trial demonstrate antitumor activity across histologic subtypes, including those with papillary and chromophobe disease.

Pembrolizumab Combo Yields Enduring Activity in Advanced Non-Clear Cell RCC

Russ Conroy
July 18th 2025
Article

Data from the KEYNOTE-B61 trial demonstrate antitumor activity across histologic subtypes, including those with papillary and chromophobe disease.


Best Practices for the Medical Oncology Boards

Best Practices for the Medical Oncology Boards

Eric Singhi, MD;Nicholas James Hornstein, MD, PhD;Marc Braunstein, MD, PhD;Nerea M. Lopetegui-Lia, MD;MinhTri Nguyen, MD
July 7th 2025
Podcast

A group of clinicians gives study advice on how to best prepare for the medical oncology board examinations.


Metastasis-Directed RT Without Systemic Therapy Improved Efficacy in RCC

Metastasis-Directed RT Without Systemic Therapy Improved Efficacy in RCC

Tim Cortese
July 18th 2025
Article

Stereotactic body radiotherapy is less expensive and has demonstrated an improved safety profile vs immunotherapy and tyrosine kinase inhibitors.


Data from a Q-TWiST analysis of the LITESPARK-005 trial provide additional evidence for the use of belzutifan in those with advanced renal cell carcinoma.

Belzutifan Improves Quality-Adjusted Survival Time in Advanced RCC

Russ Conroy
July 18th 2025
Article

Data from a Q-TWiST analysis of the LITESPARK-005 trial provide additional evidence for the use of belzutifan in those with advanced renal cell carcinoma.

Advertisement
About
Advertise
CureToday.com
OncLive.com
OncNursingNews.com
TargetedOnc.com
Editorial
Contact
Terms and Conditions
Privacy
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Contact Info

2 Commerce Drive
Cranbury, NJ 08512

609-716-7777

© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.