Jayesh Kamath1, Richard Feinn, Andrew Winokur. 1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Health Center, 10 Talcott Notch Road, Farmington, CT, USA. jkamath@uchc.edu
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Fatigue is a common and often disabling symptom for cancer patients. To date, no pharmacological interventions have shown reliable efficacy in treatment of cancer-related fatigue (CF). Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), a key regulator of homeostasis, exerts arousing and analeptic actions in instances of behavioral depression. In the present pilot, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study, we investigated the efficacy and safety of TRH as a treatment for CF. METHODS:Patients with cancer experiencing significant fatigue without medically reversible causes were enrolled in this study. The primary outcome measure was the visual analog scale for energy (VAS-E) assessed at 3, 7, and 24 h post-study medication administration. Secondary outcome measures included the profile of mood states (POMS) questionnaire, a 6-min walking test, the hospital anxiety and depression scale, the Leeds sleep questionnaire, and assessment of quality of life using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F). RESULTS:Eight patients completed the study. TRH administration was associated with significant improvement in fatigue level as measured by the VAS-E, the fatigue and vigor subscales of the POMS, and the fatigue subscale of FACIT-F (p < 0.05). It was also associated with a positive impact on quality of life. TRH administration was associated with transient increases in blood pressure and heart rate. CONCLUSIONS:TRH administration was efficacious, safe, and tolerable in the treatment of CF with a positive impact on quality of life. These results provide a crucial impetus for pursuing TRH therapeutics to treat CF.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND:Fatigue is a common and often disabling symptom for cancerpatients. To date, no pharmacological interventions have shown reliable efficacy in treatment of cancer-related fatigue (CF). Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), a key regulator of homeostasis, exerts arousing and analeptic actions in instances of behavioral depression. In the present pilot, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study, we investigated the efficacy and safety of TRH as a treatment for CF. METHODS:Patients with cancer experiencing significant fatigue without medically reversible causes were enrolled in this study. The primary outcome measure was the visual analog scale for energy (VAS-E) assessed at 3, 7, and 24 h post-study medication administration. Secondary outcome measures included the profile of mood states (POMS) questionnaire, a 6-min walking test, the hospital anxiety and depression scale, the Leeds sleep questionnaire, and assessment of quality of life using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F). RESULTS: Eight patients completed the study. TRH administration was associated with significant improvement in fatigue level as measured by the VAS-E, the fatigue and vigor subscales of the POMS, and the fatigue subscale of FACIT-F (p < 0.05). It was also associated with a positive impact on quality of life. TRH administration was associated with transient increases in blood pressure and heart rate. CONCLUSIONS:TRH administration was efficacious, safe, and tolerable in the treatment of CF with a positive impact on quality of life. These results provide a crucial impetus for pursuing TRH therapeutics to treat CF.
Authors: S E Molchan; A M Mellow; B A Lawlor; H J Weingartner; R M Cohen; M R Cohen; T Sunderland Journal: Psychopharmacology (Berl) Date: 1990 Impact factor: 4.530
Authors: V Mock; A Atkinson; A Barsevick; D Cella; B Cimprich; C Cleeland; J Donnelly; M A Eisenberger; C Escalante; P Hinds; P B Jacobsen; P Kaldor; S J Knight; A Peterman; B F Piper; H Rugo; P Sabbatini; C Stahl Journal: Oncology (Williston Park) Date: 2000-11 Impact factor: 2.990
Authors: Gary R Morrow; Jane T Hickok; Joseph A Roscoe; Richard F Raubertas; Paul L R Andrews; Patrick J Flynn; Harry E Hynes; Tarit K Banerjee; Jeffrey J Kirshner; David K King Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 2003-12-15 Impact factor: 44.544
Authors: John P Dougherty; Brian S Wolff; Mary J Cullen; Leorey N Saligan; Marvin C Gershengorn Journal: Pharmacol Res Date: 2017-07-15 Impact factor: 7.658