Trial of Medroxyprogesterone Acetate in Cancer Cachexia
Author Information
Author(s): S. Downer, S. Joel, A. Allbright, H. Plant, L. Stubbs, D. Talbot, M. Slevin
Primary Institution: Imperial Cancer Research Fund, Department of Medical Oncology, St Bartholomew's and Homerton Hospitals, London, UK.
Hypothesis
Does medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) improve appetite in patients with advanced malignant disease compared to placebo?
Conclusion
The study found that MPA significantly improved appetite in patients with advanced cancer, but did not lead to improvements in weight or overall well-being.
Supporting Evidence
- Patients treated with MPA showed a significant improvement in appetite as measured by visual analogue scales.
- Serum thyroid binding pre-albumin and retinol binding protein levels increased significantly in the MPA group.
- There was no significant change in appetite or serum protein levels in the placebo group.
- Both groups lost weight over the study period.
Takeaway
This study tested a medicine called MPA to see if it could help cancer patients feel hungrier. It worked, but it didn't help them gain weight or feel better overall.
Methodology
Patients were randomly assigned to receive either MPA or placebo for 6 weeks, with assessments of appetite, energy, mood, and pain using visual analogue scales.
Potential Biases
The strong placebo effect known with appetite stimulants may have influenced the results.
Limitations
The study did not assess portion sizes of dietary intake, which may have affected the results.
Participant Demographics
Patients with advanced malignant disease and a Karnofsky performance score of 60% or greater.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0002
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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