5‐HT3 receptor antagonists ameliorate 5‐fluorouracil‐induced intestinal mucositis by suppression of apoptosis in murine intestinal crypt cells

5-HT₃ receptor antagonists ameliorated 5-FU-induced intestinal mucositis in mice, and this action could result from suppression of apoptotic responses in the intestinal crypt cells via inhibition of cytokine expression. Thus, 5-HT₃ receptor antagonists may be useful for preventing not only nausea and emesis but also intestinal mucositis during 5-FU chemotherapy.