Auricular Point Stimulation Plus Dexamethasone Versus Standard Antiemetic Regimen for Nausea and Vomiting Caused by Docetaxel Combined With Cyclophosphamide in Breast Cancer Adjuvant Chemotherapy
This study aims to evaluate whether the preventive and suppressive effects of auricular point stimulation combined with dexamethasone on nausea and vomiting induced by the docetaxel plus cyclophosphamide regimen are non-inferior to the standard antiemetic regimen. Additionally, it will assess patients' appetite, gastrointestinal function, and other related indicators, and explore the significant role of integrated traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine interventions in improving patients' quality of life during chemotherapy, thereby providing a clinical reference for optimizing the management of adverse reactions of this chemotherapy regimen. The main questions it aims to answer are: Whether the preventive and suppressive effects of auricular point stimulation combined with dexamethasone on nausea and vomiting induced by the docetaxel plus cyclophosphamide regimen are non-inferior to the standard antiemetic regimen? In comparison with a standard pharmacologic antiemetic regimen, does auricular point stimulation plus dexamethasone effectively reduce the incidence of appetite loss, weakened or disordered gastrointestinal function, and other uncomfortable conditions? Breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy with the docetaxel plus cyclophosphamide regimen after surgery will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the auricular point stimulation group or the standard pharmacologic antiemetic regimen group. Patients in the auricular point stimulation group will: Receive auricular acupressure with bean seeds on specific points of one ear, plus intravenous injection of dexamethasone as a preventive antiemetic treatment within half an hour before chemotherapy. Starting from the day of chemotherapy (Day 1) to the following five days (Day 1-Day 5), provide regular stimulation at the acupressure points daily by themselves according to the protocol provided in this trial. Record their nausea and vomiting status, appetite, and gastrointestinal function-related symptomatic indicators from Day 1 to Day 5. Oral antiemetics are also prepared. If nausea and vomiting are significant or the patient feels the need, they may be temporarily administered as an adjunct. Patients in the standard pharmacologic antiemetic regimen group will: Receive the standard pharmacologic antiemetic regimen chosen by their physicians according to clinical guidelines.
• Patients must meet the following inclusion criteria for the study:\* Age ≥ 18 years and ≤ 85 years\* After a radical mastectomy, further postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with docetaxel combined with cyclophosphamide regimen is required.\* ECOG performance status score of 0-2.\* Normal hematological function (platelet count \> 80×10⁹/L; white blood cell count \> 3×10⁹/L; neutrophil count \> 1.5×10⁹/L).\* Serum bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN), and transaminase ≤ 5 times the ULN.\* No ascites, no gastrointestinal obstruction, normal coagulation function, and serum albumin ≥ 30g/L.\* Child-Pugh classification of liver function is Grade A.\* Serum creatinine \< ULN, or calculated creatinine clearance rate \> 50ml/min.