Drug repositioning of antipsychotic drugs for cisplatin-induced pica behavior in mice

We aimed to clarify whether various antipsychotics ameliorate cisplatin-induced pica behavior in mice using a drug repositioning approach. Mice were administered cisplatin (12.5 mg/kg, i.p.) with or without olanzapine (1 mg/kg, i.p.), asenapine (4 mg/kg, i.p.), mirtazapine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) or standard three-drug antiemetics (granisetron [0.5 mg/kg, i.p.], fosaprepitant [25 mg/kg, i.p.], and dexamethasone [3 mg/kg, i.p.]). Kaolin, food, and water intake, and spontaneous motor activity on the day before and seven consecutive days after the cisplatin administration were measured using a telemetry system. At the primary endpoint, kaolin intake was significantly higher at day three in the cisplatin group than in the pre-treatment and saline groups (p < 0.05). Additionally, kaolin intake was not significantly higher in cisplatin with olanzapine, asenapine, and mirtazapine groups for seven days than in the pre-treatment group. At the secondary endpoint, cisplatin decreased the food and water intake, and spontaneous motor activity in a time-dependent manner. Three antipsychotics failed to improve the cisplatin-induced decrease in food and water intake, and spontaneous motor activity. The findings suggest that prophylactic administration of antipsychotics besides olanzapine may improve cisplatin-induced nausea and vomiting in a delayed phase and de-escalate standard 3-drug antiemetics.