Deshmukh, V., Kulkarni, A., Bhargava, S., Patil, T., Ramdasi, V., Gangal, S., . . . Sardeshmukh, S. (2014). Effectiveness of combinations of Ayurvedic drugs in alleviating drug toxicity and improving quality of life of cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. Supportive Care in Cancer, 22, 3007–3015.
To assess the effectiveness of a combination of Ayurvedic drugs in alleviating cancer- and treatment-related symptoms
Patients initially were divided into two groups. Group 1 did not receive any Ayurvedic drugs. Patients in group 2 received Ayurvedic herbal combinations at various time points during chemotherapy. Within group 2, arm 1 received the same drugs and a full course of chemotherapy while arm 2 received the same drugs at the start of the sixth chemotherapy cycle and arm 3 received them after completing the sixth cycle. Treatment was continued for 16 weeks. Drugs used were maukitkyukta kamdudha (MKD) and mauktikyukta praval panchamruta (MPP) in all treatment arms. Arm 3 also received suvarnabhasmadi (SBD) according to clinician preference based on Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scores. MKD and MPP at 250 mg each were given orally twice daily. SBD was given orally at a dose of 395 mg twice daily in cow’s ghee. Patients were followed for six months. Outcomes were measured after the first cycle of chemotherapy, after the sixth cycle of chemotherapy, and one month after the sixth cycle.
Prospective study
Patients in arm 1 of the treatment group showed the least symptom severity of all groups. However, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups in any outcome measure. Symptoms declined in all patients after the first chemotherapy cycle. There were no significant differences in other chemotherapy-related toxicities.
This study showed some interesting but insignificant differences in chemotherapy-associated symptoms between patients receiving Ayurvedic drugs throughout chemotherapy, patients receiving the experimental drugs at difference time points, and patients who did not receive any of these drugs. This study's findings did not show that Ayurvedic drugs were effective in reducing symptoms compared to controls overall. This report had numerous design and reporting limitations.
Little research has been done on the effects of Ayurvedic drug combinations among patients with cancer as a form of complementary and alternative medicine to manage treatment-related symptoms. This study did not demonstrate the efficacy of the particullar combination tested, and the study had several design and reporting flaws. Additional well-designed and clearly reported research for this type of intervention is needed to determine what role, if any, Ayurvedic drugs have for symptom management in cancer care.
Deshler, A.M., Fee-Schroeder, K.C., Dowdy, J.L., Mettler, T.A., Novotny, P., Zhao, X., et al. (2006). A patient orientation program at a comprehensive cancer center. Oncology Nursing Forum, 33, 569–578.
The intervention was a 12-minute cancer orientation program video and an orientation booklet. The video provided an overview of the cancer center, a welcome statement, an introduction to the clinic’s philosophy of care, locations of treatment centers, and identified staff members. The orientation booklet provided more detail and information about various resources and services:
Measurements done at baseline included questionnaires regarding awareness of cancer resources and services, demographic information, and state and trait anxiety. Postintervention questionnaires three weeks later measured awareness, use of and satisfaction with services and resources, and state and trait anxiety. Before their first MD appointment, patients were consented and randomized to one of four arms:
Medical oncology clinic
A randomized controlled trial design was used.
The study had a small sample size.
Desborough, M., Estcourt, L.J., Doree, C., Trivella, M., Hopewell, S., Stanworth, S.J., & Murphy, M.F. (2016). Alternatives, and adjuncts, to prophylactic platelet transfusion for people with haematological malignancies undergoing intensive chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 8, CD010982.
STUDY PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of adjunctive or alternative agents to platelet transfusions in patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing intensive chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation to prevent bleeding
TYPE OF STUDY: Systematic review
PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment
The authors concluded that the available evidence does not allow a determination of the effect of TPO or platelet-poor plasma on the prevention of bleeding in patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing intensive chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation. This conclusion is attributed to the quality of evidence (very low quality) and the lack of adequate power to detect a clinically significant decrease in bleeding. No trials identified which evaluated agents, such as artificial platelet substitutes, fibrinogen concentrate, recombinant activated factor VII, or desmopressin, in this population.
Sufficient, high quality evidence does not exist with which to determine the safety or efficacy of adjunctive or alternative agents to platelet transfusions in patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing intensive chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation in the prevention of bleeding.
Additional studies are needed to evaluate adjunctive or alternative agents in the prevention of bleeding. Neither TPO nor plasma-poor platelets can be substituted for platelet transfusions given the current state of knowledge.
De Sanctis, V., Bossi, P., Sanguineti, G., Trippa, F., Ferrari, D., Bacigalupo, A., . . . Lalla, R.V. (2016). Mucositis in head and neck cancer patients treated with radiotherapy and systemic therapies: Literature review and consensus statements. Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology, 100, 147–166.
No information is provided regarding the volume of evidence retrieved or quality ratings of studies included.
All specific interventions had either recommendations against use or no ability to provide a recommendation. Cryotherapy even with bolus 5-FU was not recommended due to lack of evidence in the setting of RT for patients with head and neck cancer. The guideline provides a listing of numerous interventions that have been examined with no recommendations for use.
This review provides a comprehensive list of interventions, none of which can be recommended for practice. This article does provide a good overview of assessment instruments and provides some information on probable risk factors.
Derry, H.M., Jaremka, L.M., Bennett, J.M., Peng, J., Andridge, R., Shapiro, C., . . . Kiecolt-Glaser, J.K. (2014). Yoga and self-reported cognitive problems in breast cancer survivors: A randomized controlled trial. Psycho-Oncology. Advance online publication.
To determine the effects of yoga on self-reported cognitive function
Certified yoga instructors led two 90-minute yoga group classes per week for 12 weeks. Each group contained 4–20 participants. Hatha yoga poses targeting relaxation, mindful breathing, chest opening, spinal extension, upper-body strength, and mobility were predetermined for each of the 24 sessions, and protocol drift was monitored. Pamphlets describing the poses from the classes and a yoga DVD were provided for home practice. Participants recorded weekly home and class time to determine dose effects. Participants who missed a class were called to improve adherence. Waitlist control participants continued regular activities and were directed not to begin yoga practice until after their final assessments. Measures were assessed before the behavioral intervention, immediately after the 12-week intervention, and three months after the intervention.
Randomized, waitlist-controlled trial
At baseline, the average self-reported cognitive impairment was slight to moderate and did not differ between groups. Overall group and group-by-time effects were found (p < .05, both). Although no differences were found immediately after the 12-week intervention, the intervention group reported significantly less cognitive impairment than controls three months after the intervention ended (p < .01). However, these effects did not remain after controlling for symptom covariates (e.g., anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep quality). Participants with more daily yoga practice (mean of 29 minutes) reported less cognitive impairment postintervention through three months (p = .011), and participants with less daily yoga practice (mean of 18 minutes) or no daily yoga practice did not report these changes. This dose response remained when controlling for symptom covariates. At three months, the intervention group reported more physical activity than controls (p = .032). Cytokine levels did not predict changes in self-reported cognitive impairment.
A 12-week, group Hatha yoga intervention provided by a trained instructor may improve self-reported cognitive impairment in breast cancer survivors. This effect may be mediated by improvements in co-occurring symptoms. Practicing yoga for at least 30 minutes per day may be required for a significant improvement over time in cognitive impairment.
A group Hatha yoga class delivered by a trained facilitator may improve cognitive impairment for breast cancer survivors. However, more research with a longer follow-up period is warranted to determine whether the intervention is effective, what component of the intervention is active, and whether yoga is practical for implementation in practice.
de Raaf, P.J., de Klerk, C., Timman, R., Busschbach, J.J., Oldenmenger, W.H., & van der Rijt, C.C. (2013). Systematic monitoring and treatment of physical symptoms to alleviate fatigue in patients with advanced cancer: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 31, 716–723.
To investigate whether nurse monitoring and protocol management of physical symptoms alleviates fatigue
Patients were randomized to receive either usual care or nurse management patient-tailored treatment using treatment management protocols. In the experimental group, nurse specialists recorded interventions for multiple physical symptoms. During outpatient meetings with the nurse, symptom severity was monitored. When any symptoms were rated ≥ 4 on an 11-point scale, the nurse referred the patient to the oncologist for further assessment and initiation of treatment according to palliative care guidelines, such as medication adjustment, other referrals, or other interventions. Nurses managed as many symptoms independently as possible. Highly specific interventions for pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, anorexia, dyspnea, cough, and dry mouth were used. No specific interventions aimed at fatigue were identified. Patients met with the nurse at 1, 2–4, 5–7, and 8–10 weeks. Study assessments were done via mail at baseline and one, two, and three months.
A randomized controlled trial design was used.
Patients reported that the most troublesome symptoms were pain, dyspnea, and anorexia. Patients had a median of two symptoms with NRS scores of at least 4 at baseline. MFI scores for general fatigue declined significantly over time in the intervention group compared to controls, with effect size ranging from 0.26 to 0.35 (p = 0.01). NRS fatigue scores also demonstrated decline compared to usual care controls (p < 0.001). BFI scores were not reported. Overall symptom burden was reported to decrease over time in the intervention group, while there was no change in controls (maximal effect size = 0.64, p = 0.002). Anxiety decreased in the intervention group compared to controls (maximal effect size = 0.32, p < 0.001).
Findings suggest that comprehensive management and monitoring for symptom control by nurse specialists was effective in reducing anxiety and fatigue in patients with cancer.
Findings suggest that continued symptom management and monitoring with a protocol approach can be effective for reducing symptoms overall, and reducing fatigue and anxiety. There were no specific intervention approaches identified that were used for fatigue, so the suggestion is that reducing other symptoms can have a positive impact on fatigue. There were also no specific interventions identified for anxiety, but anxiety also declined over time. These results suggest that ongoing monitoring and attention to patients alone may positively impact these symptoms.
Deplanque, G., Gervais, R., Vergnenegre, A., Falchero, L., Souquet, P.J., Chavaillon, J.M., . . . Chosidow, O. (2016). Doxycycline for prevention of erlotinib-induced rash in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after failure of first-line chemotherapy: A randomized, open-label trial. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 74, 1077–1085.
To evaluate the efficacy of doxycycline in the prevention of erlotinib-induced rash (folliculitis) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Patients were randomized via a computer website to receive either erlotinib 150 mg/d per os or erlotinib 150 mg/d per os plus 100 mg/d of doxycycline. Doxycycline began on day 0 (day of randomization) and was continued for four months and as long as 12 months at the primary investigator's discretion. Erlotinib began on day 1 and was administered for as long as 12 months or beyond or until disease progression or intolerable toxicity. Patients were evaluated on days 14 and 28 and at months 2, 4, 7, 10, and 12. Patients with grade 2 or higher folliculitis received treatment as appropriate.
Open-label, randomized, prospective, phase II trial
FOLLICULITIS: During the first four months of treatment, 52 patients (71%) in the doxycycline arm and 59 patients (81%) in the control arm developed folliculitis (p = 0.18). The mean duration of folliculitis was similar in both treatment arms (no p value given). Sixty-two percent of patients in the intervention arm developed grade 1 folliculitis compared to 19% in the control arm. Grade 3 folliculitis developed in 4% of patients in the intervention arm and 19% in the control arm (p < 0.001).
Doxycycline did not reduce the incidence of erlotinib-induced folliculitis but significantly reduced its severity. In fact, more patients in the intervention arm developed grade 1 folliculitis compared to the control arm. The duration of folliculitis was similar in both the intervention and control arm in this study. Compliance with erlotinib was higher in the doxycycline arm during the whole treatment period.
Nurses can collaborate with physicians to verify that doxycycline is combined with erlotinib treatment to improve the level of toxicity of folliculitis. Doxycycline has the potential to decrease the severity of folliculitis in patients with NSCLC who are receiving erlotinib. It does not, however, reduce the incidence of folliculitis in these patients during the first four months of treatment with erlotinib, nor does it reduce the duration of folliculitis.
Dennett, A.M., Peiris, C.L., Shields, N., Prendergast, L.A., & Taylor, N.F. (2016). Moderate-intensity exercise reduces fatigue and improves mobility in cancer survivors: A systematic review and meta-regression. Journal of Physiotherapy, 62, 68–82.
STUDY PURPOSE: To evaluate if a dose response effect of exercise on inflammation and fatigue in cancer survivors exists
TYPE OF STUDY: Meta-analysis and systematic review
PHASE OF CARE: Multiple phases of care
Exercise interventions included aerobic, resistance, flexibility, and combinations of these. Interventions included supervised, unsupervised, home-based, hospital- or other setting–based, and group or individual exercise sessions. Moderate quality evidence that exercise had a positive effect on fatigue compared to usual care existed (standard mean deviation = 0.32, 95% confidence interval [0.13, 0.52]). A combination of aerobic and resistance provided the largest treatment effect. Aerobic intensity was negatively related to treatment effect. No relationships existed between resistance exercise and treatment effect.
Exercise has a beneficial effect on fatigue. Moderate intensity exercise appears to be most beneficial.
Varied study quality and sample sizes
This analysis adds to the body of evidence that exercise has a beneficial effect on fatigue among patients with cancer. This study suggests that moderate level aerobic exercise is more beneficial than more intense exercise. This information can be used to guide patient counseling and teaching to incorporate moderate exercise into daily routines.
Denlinger, C.S., Ligibel, J.A., Are, M., Baker, K.S., Demark-Wahnefried, W., Friedman, D.L., . . . National Comprehensive Cancer Network. (2014). Survivorship: Cognitive function [v.1.2014]. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 12, 976–986.
A uniform NCCN consensus determined that recommendations were appropriate (NCCN Category of Evidence and Consensus = 2A).
Some interventions that may be useful to improve or maintain cognitive function might not be included in these guidelines because this manuscript did not detail search strategies, inclusions and exclusions, or the number of articles included in the recommendations.
The NCCN cognitive function algorithm aids healthcare professionals considering the assessment and treatment of cancer-related cognitive function. Nonpharmacologic interventions should be recommended to oncology survivors experiencing cognitive issues. Pharmacologic interventions may be considered when medical conditions permit and potential contributing factors are ruled out or managed.
Deng, B., Jia, L., & Cheng, Z. (2016). Radix Astragali-based Chinese herbal medicine for oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2016, 2421876.
STUDY PURPOSE: To conduct a systematic review of the research evidence for the effects of Radix Astragali (RA)–based Chinese herbal medicine in the prevention and treatment of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (PN)
TYPE OF STUDY: Meta-analysis and systematic review
PHASE OF CARE: Not specified or not applicable; cannot determine if studies were in palliative care setting
APPLICATIONS: Elder care
This meta-analysis indicated that RA-based interventions may provide potential benefit for oxaliplatin-induced PN. Although this meta-analysis did not show significant heterogeneity for different trial results, it did show considerable heterogeneity in the variables, treatments, and outcome measures studied. Studies included RA-based interventions with no reliable measures of drug composition, varied drug doses, self-made drug preparations, or RA combined with herbal compositions with variation in drug delivery methods. Therefore, it is premature to interpret these results as beneficial because of the substantial limitations for reliability and validity of the study results.
It remains unclear if RA provides benefit in alleviating oxaliplatin-induced PN. Additional RCTs are required to evaluate the reliable preparations of RA to investigate its full effects isolated in simple form versus its combined effect with other herbs. The effect of RA on the antitumor activity of oxaliplatin or other chemotherapeutic agents needs further study. Large multisite RCTs are needed to further evaluate drug safety in all phases of treatment and to identify the most effective dose, delivery method, duration of treatment, and quality of life.