Effect of nandrolone in the treatment of cancer cachexia

International Journal of Development Research

Volume: 
13
Article ID: 
26175
5 pages
Research Article

Effect of nandrolone in the treatment of cancer cachexia

Preti Vinicius Basso, Polakowski, Camila Brandão, Tomasich, Flavio Daniel Saavedra, Trindade, Lilian Cristina Teixeira and Pacheco Jr, Adhemar Monteiro

Abstract: 

Introduction: Cancer cachexia has a negative impact on quality of life and survival, and is characterized by proteolysis. Nandrolone may improve protein loss, but requires further study in cancer patients. Objective: To compare whether there is an improvement in nutritional parameters and quality of life with the use of anabolic steroid associated with corticosteroids in relation to use alone. Methods: A randomized, prospective, double-blind clinical trial was performed. Patients were divided into two groups, where group 1 patients received nandrolone twice a month (2 doses) and dexamethasone (4 mg) once daily and group 2 received dexamethasone (4 mg) for 30 days. Quality of life data (QoL C-30 - EORTC), body composition (BIA) and laboratory tests (RBC, albumin, CRP and transferrin) were compared. Results: Thirty patients received nandrolone and 28 patients received dexamethasone alone for 30 days. There was no difference in quality of life (p = 0.76); functional (p = 0.83) or symptom scales (p = 0.79); there was no difference in body composition regarding resistance (p = 0.74), reactance (p = 0.74) or body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.88) and there was no difference in laboratory tests of CRP (p = 0.10) and related to the nutritional status of albumin (p = 0.66) and transferrin (p = 0.13). Conclusion: There was no difference between the groups in the treatment of neoplastic cachexia and in palliative treatment in the period of 30 days.

DOI: 
https://doi.org/10.37118/ijdr.26175.01.2023
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