
"I was delighted to take part in a clinical trial as it has the potential to really help others in the future.”
This trial was done to find out if a drug called aprepitant can help people who have a cough as a symptom of lung cancer.
Cough is a common symptom of lung cancer. It can affect peoples’ quality of life. In this trial, researchers wanted to see if a drug called aprepitant (Emend) can help.
When this trial was done, doctors were already using aprepitant to control sickness caused by chemotherapy. They hoped it would also be useful for people with lung cancer who have a cough.
People in this trial had both aprepitant and a dummy drug (placebo) at different times. The research team compared how bad their cough was with the different treatments.
The aim of the trial was to find out if aprepitant relieves coughing more than a placebo in people with lung cancer.
The research team found that aprepitant did help people with lung cancer who had a cough.
This trial was open for people to join between 2013 and 2014. The research team presented the results at a conference in 2015.
About this trial/study
The research team recruited 20 people who had lung cancer and a cough. They were put in to one of two treatment groups at random.
Group 1 had aprepitant capsules for 3 days, then no treatment for 3 days, then dummy (placebo) capsules for 3 days.
Group 2 had placebo capsules for 3 days, then no treatment for 3 days, then aprepitant capsules for 3 days.
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Dr Fiona Blackhall
NIHR Clinical Research Network: Cancer
NIHR Fellowships Programme
NW Lung Charity
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
University Hospital of South Manchester (UHSM)
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040
"I was delighted to take part in a clinical trial as it has the potential to really help others in the future.”