title: Methylphenidate in the management of asthenia in breast cancer patients treated with docetaxel: results of a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objectives of this pilot study were to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the central nervous system stimulant methylphenidate in the management of asthenia in breast cancer patients treated with docetaxel.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with early breast cancer who presented asthenia >3 on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) after the first cycle of docetaxel-based chemotherapy were included. Patients received two additional cycles of chemotherapy, one with methylphenidate (10 mg bid) and the other without methylphenidate. Asthenia was evaluated using VAS and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Fatigue (FACT-F) scale. Distress was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and quality of life using FACT-F.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten patients were included and evaluated for efficacy and safety. Overall, cycles with methylphenidate were better tolerated than those without methylphenidate in terms of asthenia (VAS, p = 0.004; FACT-F, p = 0.027) and quality of life (FACT-F, p = 0.047). No significant differences were observed in terms of distress (HADS, p = 0.297). Six (60%) patients continued with methylphenidate after study end. Main adverse events during study were palpitations and insomnia (30% of patients each).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study suggests that methylphenidate may reduce asthenia and improve quality of life in breast cancer patients treated with docetaxel.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Service, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain. juancueva@telefonica.net
authors.forename: Juan F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Cueva
authors.forename: Marcos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Calvo
authors.forename: Urbano
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Anido
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: León
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gallardo
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Areses
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bernárdez
authors.forename: Lucía
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gayoso
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jesús Lamas
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Curiel
authors.forename: Francisca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vázquez
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Candamio
authors.forename: Yolanda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Vidal
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Javier Barón
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: López
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001247:Asthenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D000077143:Docetaxel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D043823:Taxoids / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D008774:Methylphenidate