Study of Methylphenidate as Add on Therapy in Depressed Cancer Patients

Summary

Primary Objective To determine the efficacy of Methylphenidate as add on therapy to mirtazapine in the treatment of depression in cancer patients under palliative care Hypothesis Methyphenidate add on to mirtazapine treated subjects will show significant early reduction in (Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale) MADRS between baseline and Day 3. Secondary Objective 1. To determine the efficacy of Methylphenidate as add on therapy to mirtazapine in the treatment of anxiety in cancer patients under palliative care. Hypothesis Methyphenidate add on to mirtazapine treated subjects will show significant early reduction in anxiety score of HADS than Mirtazepine alone treated subjects between baseline and Day 3. 2. To determine the efficacy of Methylphenidate as add on therapy to mirtazapine in reducing distress in cancer patients under palliative care. Hypothesis Methyphenidate add on to mirtazapine treated subjects will show significant early reduction in distress score of distress thermometer than Mirtazepine alone treated subjects between baseline and Day 3. 3. To determine the efficacy of Methylphenidate as add on therapy to mirtazapine in improving function in cancer patients under palliative care. Hypothesis Methyphenidate add on to mirtazapine treated subjects will show increase in the (Eastern Cooperation Group performance status) ECOG score than Mirtazepine alone treated subjects between baseline and Day 3 4. To determine the efficacy of Methylphenidate as add on therapy to mirtazapine in reducing somatic complaints in cancer patients under palliative care. Hypothesis Methyphenidate add on to mirtazapine treated subjects will show significant early reduction in the score of Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for Pain and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for Fatigue than Mirtazapine alone treated subjects between baseline and Day 3.

Timeline

Start

2011-03

Primary completion

2012-09

Completion

2012-10

Publications

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• Background Somerset W, Stout SC, Miller AH, Musselman D. Breast cancer and depression. Oncology (Williston Park). 2004 Jul;18(8):1021-34; discussion 1035-6, 1047-8.
• Background Bennett B, Goldstein D, Lloyd A, Davenport T, Hickie I. Fatigue and psychological distress--exploring the relationship in women treated for breast cancer. Eur J Cancer. 2004 Jul;40(11):1689-95. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2004.03.021.
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• Background Kadan-Lottick NS, Vanderwerker LC, Block SD, Zhang B, Prigerson HG. Psychiatric disorders and mental health service use in patients with advanced cancer: a report from the coping with cancer study. Cancer. 2005 Dec 15;104(12):2872-81. doi: 10.1002/cncr.21532.
• Background Massie, M.J., Popkin, M.K. Depressive Disorders. In: Holland, J.C. (Eds), Psycho-oncology. Oxford University Press, NY 1998; 518-519.
• Background Chochinov HM. Depression in cancer patients. Lancet Oncol. 2001 Aug;2(8):499-505. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(01)00456-9.
• Background Fann JR, Thomas-Rich AM, Katon WJ, Cowley D, Pepping M, McGregor BA, Gralow J. Major depression after breast cancer: a review of epidemiology and treatment. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2008 Mar-Apr;30(2):112-26. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2007.10.008.
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• Background Challman TD, Lipsky JJ. Methylphenidate: its pharmacology and uses. Mayo Clin Proc. 2000 Jul;75(7):711-21. doi: 10.4065/75.7.711.
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• Background Rodin G, Lloyd N, Katz M, Green E, Mackay JA, Wong RK; Supportive Care Guidelines Group of Cancer Care Ontario Program in Evidence-Based Care. The treatment of depression in cancer patients: a systematic review. Support Care Cancer. 2007 Feb;15(2):123-36. doi: 10.1007/s00520-006-0145-3. Epub 2006 Oct 21.
• Background Rozans M, Dreisbach A, Lertora JJ, Kahn MJ. Palliative uses of methylphenidate in patients with cancer: a review. J Clin Oncol. 2002 Jan 1;20(1):335-9. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2002.20.1.335.
• Background Marek Kaminski, Per Sjogren. The Use of psychostimulants in palliative and supportive treatment of cancer patients. Advances in Palliative Medicine 2007; 6: 23-31.
• Background Masand PS, Tesar GE. Use of stimulants in the medically ill. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 1996 Sep;19(3):515-47. doi: 10.1016/s0193-953x(05)70304-x.
• Background Candy M, Jones L, Williams R, Tookman A, King M. Psychostimulants for depression. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Apr 16;(2):CD006722. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006722.pub2.
• Background Vigano A, Watanabe S, Bruera E. Methylphenidate for the management of somatization in terminal cancer patients. J Pain Symptom Manage. 1995 Feb;10(2):167-70. doi: 10.1016/0885-3924(94)00080-5.
• Background Laval G, Paris A. [Methylphenidate in palliative care in cancer patient: a double-blind randomised trial versus placebo]. Bull Cancer. 2008 Feb;95(2):241-6. doi: 10.1684/bdc.2008.0581. French.
• Ng CG, Boks MP, Roes KC, Zainal NZ, Sulaiman AH, Tan SB, de Wit NJ. Rapid response to methylphenidate as an add-on therapy to mirtazapine in the treatment of major depressive disorder in terminally ill cancer patients: a four-week, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2014 Apr;24(4):491-8. doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2014.01.016. Epub 2014 Jan 20.

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