Comparison Between Mirtazapine and Megestrol for the Control of Anorexia-cachexia in Cancer Patients in Palliative Care.

NCT03283488 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: PHASE2 · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 52

Last updated 2023-07-07

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Cancer-associated anorexia-cachexia is an insidious syndrome that has a major impact on the patient's quality of life, but is also associated with a significant reduction in survival. Despite its clinical importance, it remains a widely underestimated and untreated condition. Considering the scarcity of pharmacological measures, it is necessary to invest in studies that may contribute to the rational and effective treatment of this clinical condition. Mirtazapine has a special therapeutic potential because it is a well-tolerated drug with few adverse effects and with well-known orexigenic action in clinical practice.The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of mirtazapine as a pharmacological measure in the management of cancer-related anorexia-cachexia in patients in palliative care. A randomized, double-blind clinical trial involving 52 cancer patients with anorexia-cachexia in palliative care will be conducted. Patients will be randomized to receive mirtazapine or megestrol and will be evaluated longitudinally for a period of 8 weeks. The primary endpoint will be to assess the effect of mirtazapine on anorexia and weight gain and secondary outcomes will be to assess the tolerability and safety of mirtazapine and the effect of mirtazapine on body composition, quality of life, and functional capacity of patients.

Conditions

  • Cachexia; Cancer
  • Anorexia

Interventions

DRUG

Mirtazapine

Tablets of 15mg mirtazapine will be used according to randomization. At the first visit, patients will be instructed to take one tablet at night for better tolerability. From the second week, if there is good tolerance, they will take two tablets at night until the end of the study.

DRUG

Megestrol

Tablets of 160mg megestrol will be used according to randomization. At the first visit, patients will be instructed to take one tablet at night for better tolerability. From the second week, if there is good tolerance, they will take two tablets at night until the end of the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University of Sao Paulo

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Nereida KC Lima, MD, PhD · University of Sao Paulo

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
50 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2019-03-26
Primary Completion
2022-02-02
Completion
2022-02-02

Countries

  • Brazil

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT03283488 on ClinicalTrials.gov