High-dose Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) for cancer-related fatigue (CRF): A preliminary report.

Abstract

9642 Background: CRF is a common and severe symptom in patients with cancer. There are limited useful treatments available. The objective of this preliminary study was to assess the safety of high-dose Panax ginseng (PG) on CRF. Methods: In this prospective open labeled study, 30 patients with cancer and fatigue ≥4/10 (0=no fatigue, 10=worst possible fatigue) received high dose PG 800mg orally daily for 29 days. Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-fatigue (FACIT-F), Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) (0=best, 10=worst), and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) were assessed at baseline and day 29. Results: 24/30 (80%) patients were evaluable. The median age was 58yrs, 50% were females, 84% were white. The most common cancer type was genitourinary cancer (31%). Table shows the changes in fatigue, anxiety, depression scores. ESAS well-being improved from 4.67 (2.04) to 3.50 (2.34) (p=0.01374), appetite improved from 4.29 (2.79) to 2.96 (2.46) (p=0.0097). 21/24 (87%) patients had an improved FACIT-F fatigue score by day 15. Global Symptom Evaluation score of PG for fatigue was better in 15/24 patients (63%) with median improvement of 5 (1=hardly any better, 7= very great deal better). No ≥ grade 3 adverse events related to the study drug were reported. Conclusions: 1) PG is safe and rapidly improved ESAS fatigue and FACIT-F fatigue scores; 2) Overall quality of life (FACIT-General), appetite, and sleep at night also improved. Randomized controlled trials of PG are justified in CRF. Clinical trial information: NCT01375114. [Table: see text]