Researchers from the University of Rochester-affiliated Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP) have reported that use of ginger supplements in combination with conventional antinausea drugs reduces chemotherapy-induced nausea to a greater extent than antinausea drugs alone. The details of this study will be presented at the 2009 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Orlando Florida, May 29-June.[1] 

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is a common and potentially serious side effect of cancer treatment. CINV can be severely debilitating and not only interferes with quality of life but also can result in disruption of the treatment schedule.

The best way to manage nausea and vomiting is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. Many new and improved medications for controlling nausea and vomiting have been developed over the last several years. These drugs block the signal in the brain that causes nausea and vomiting. As a result of widespread use of these medications, nausea and/or vomiting are not as severe and do not occur as frequently as in the past.

In an effort to further control CINV, researchers continue to explore new approaches to treatment, including complementary and alternative treatments such as acupuncture and dietary supplementation.

Ginger is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties in the gastrointestinal tract. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has evaluated the literature on ginger for nausea.[2] It was concluded that there were “suggestive” reports for effectiveness of ginger in alleviating nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy. Results were “mixed” for nausea caused by motion sickness, chemotherapy, or surgery. Previous studies of ginger for CINV have produced inconsistent results. In one recent Phase II randomized study, the addition of 1 or 2 gm doses of ginger to 5-HT(3) receptor antagonists failed to show a benefit.[3] 

To assess the effect of ginger supplementation given before and after the start of chemotherapy, researchers conducted a study among 644 patients with breast, GI, lung, and other cancers. Patients were assigned to receive either a placebo or one of three doses of ginger given in capsule form (0.5g, 1.0g, or 1.5g). The placebo or ginger was divided into two doses given each day for six days, starting three days before chemotherapy.  Patients also received traditional 5-HT(3) receptor antagonists on day one of all cycles.

Information about nausea was collected during the first four days of the chemotherapy cycle.

All three doses of ginger were more effective than the placebo at reducing nausea. The two lower doses (0.5g and 1.0g) appeared to have the greatest effect. They also observed a better effect of ginger if taken earlier in the day.

Comments: These results suggest that the addition of ginger supplements to conventional antinausea medications reduces chemotherapy-induced nausea. The researchers note, however, that patients should speak with their doctor before taking ginger or any other dietary supplement.

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