Phase II study of ginkgo biloba in irradiated brain tumor survivors: Effects on quality of life (QOL), mood, and cognitive function.

Abstract

e12523 Background: Ginkgo biloba can improve cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease and multi- infarct dementia. We conducted an open-label phase II study of this botanical product in symptomatic irradiated brain tumor survivors. Methods: Eligibility criteria included: age ≥ 18 years, life expectancy ≥ 30 weeks, partial or whole brain radiation ≥ 6 months before enrollment, no imaging evidence of tumor progression in previous 3 months, on stable or decreasing steroid dose, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) ≥ 70, and no brain tumor treatment planned while on study. The ginkgo biloba dose was 120 mg/day (40 mg tid) for 24 weeks followed by a 6-week washout period. Assessments performed at baseline, 12, 24 (end of treatment), and 30 weeks (end of washout) included KPS, functional assessment of cancer therapy-brain (FACT-Br), profile of mood states (POMS), mini-mental status exam (MMSE), trail-making test parts A (TMT-A) and B (TMT-B), digit span test (DST), Modified Rey-Osterrieth Complex F...