We did two identically designed, randomised, double-blind, phase 3 trials to compare rolapitant with active control and found that rolapitant was safe and eff ective for prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting when combined with a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist and dexamethasone in patients with cancer who received cisplatin-based highly emetogenic chemotherapy. Implications of all the available evidence These two global studies show that one dose of oral rolapitant taken with a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist and dexamethasone before administration of chemotherapy provides protection for the entire at-risk period for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Rolapitant provides a longacting treatment option for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting for cisplatin-based highly emetogenic chemotherapy with little potential for clinically relevant CYP3A4-mediated drug–drug interactions. This simpler regimen could result in better overall cancer treatment adherence in patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy.