title: Efficacy of dexmethylphenidate for the treatment of fatigue after cancer chemotherapy: a randomized clinical trial.
abstract: Cancer and its treatment can induce subjective and objective evidence of diminished functional capacity encompassing physical fatigue and cognitive impairment. Dexmethylphenidate (D-MPH; the D-isomer of methylphenidate) was evaluated for treatment of chemotherapy-related fatigue and cognitive impairment. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study evaluated the potential therapeutic effect and safety of D-MPH in the treatment of patients with chemotherapy-related fatigue. Change from baseline in the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue Subscale (FACIT-F) total score at Week 8 was the primary outcome measure. One hundred fifty-four patients (predominantly with breast and ovarian cancers) were randomized and treated. Compared with placebo, D-MPH-treated subjects demonstrated a significant improvement in fatigue symptoms at Week 8 in the FACIT-F (P=0.02) and the Clinical Global Impression-Severity scores (P=0.02), without clinically relevant changes in hemoglobin levels. Cognitive function was not significantly improved. There was a higher rate of study drug-related adverse events (AEs) (48 of 76 [63%] vs. 22 of 78 [28%]) and a higher discontinuation rate because of AEs (8 of 76 [11%] vs. 1 of 78 [1.3%]) in D-MPH-treated subjects compared with placebo-treated subjects. The most commonly reported AEs independent of study drug relationship in D-MPH-treated subjects were headache, nausea, and dry mouth, and in placebo-treated subjects were headache, diarrhea, and insomnia. D-MPH produced significant improvement in fatigue in subjects previously treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy. Further studies with D-MPH or other agents to explore treatment response in chemotherapy-associated fatigue should be considered.
authors.affiliation: University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0565, USA. elower@ohcmail.com
authors.forename: Elyse E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Lower
authors.forename: Stewart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fleishman
authors.forename: Alyse
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Jerome
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zeldis
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Faleck
authors.forename: Zhinuan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Donald
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Manning
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D064699:Dexmethylphenidate Hydrochloride; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005221:Fatigue / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D018401:Sample Size; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D064699:Dexmethylphenidate Hydrochloride; D008774:Methylphenidate