Table 3. Clinical Trials of Psychostimulants in Cancer Patients
| Study | Comments | Drug(s) | Outcome |
| Meyers et al. 1998 [39] | Brain tumor; N = 30 | methylphenidate (Ritalin) | ↑ mood, ↑ cognition, ↑ function |
| Olin and Masand 1996 [40] | Mixed cancer; N = 59; chart review | dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine); methylphenidate (Ritalin) | ↓ depression, ↑ appetite |
| Bruera et al. 1992 [41] | Cancer pain vs. opioid infusion; N = 20 | methylphenidate (Ritalin); placebo | ↑ cognition, ↓ sedation |
| Fernandez et al. 1987 [38] | Mixed cancer; rapid onset; N = 30 | methylphenidate (Ritalin; up to 80 mg) | ↓ depression |
| Bruera et al. 1986 [42] | Pain; double-blind cross-over study; N = 24 | mazindol (Mazanor) | ↓ pain, ↓ appetite, no effect on mood |
| Joshi et al. 1982 [43] | Terminally ill | amphetamine | ↑ comfort |
References
- Fernandez F, Adams F, Holmes VF, et al.: Methylphenidate for depressive disorders in cancer patients. An alternative to standard antidepressants. Psychosomatics 28 (9): 455-61, 1987. [PUBMED Abstract]
- Meyers CA, Weitzner MA, Valentine AD, et al.: Methylphenidate therapy improves cognition, mood, and function of brain tumor patients. J Clin Oncol 16 (7): 2522-7, 1998. [PUBMED Abstract]
- Olin J, Masand P: Psychostimulants for depression in hospitalized cancer patients. Psychosomatics 37 (1): 57-62, 1996 Jan-Feb. [PUBMED Abstract]
- Bruera E, Miller MJ, Macmillan K, et al.: Neuropsychological effects of methylphenidate in patients receiving a continuous infusion of narcotics for cancer pain. Pain 48 (2): 163-6, 1992. [PUBMED Abstract]
- Bruera E, Carraro S, Roca E, et al.: Double-blind evaluation of the effects of mazindol on pain, depression, anxiety, appetite, and activity in terminal cancer patients. Cancer Treat Rep 70 (2): 295-8, 1986. [PUBMED Abstract]
- Joshi JH, de Jongh CA, Schnaper N, et al.: Amphetamine therapy for enhancing the comfort of terminally ill patients with cancer. Proceedings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology 1: 55, 1982.
