The role of megestrol acetate in neoplastic anorexia and cachexia

• Published in: Current therapeutic research Vol. 56; no. 2; pp. 183 - 189
• Main Authors: Neri, Bruno, Gemelli, Maria Teresa, Tarantini, Paola, Benvenuti, Flaminio, Khader, Azam, Ludovici, Mauro, Michelotti, Roberto, Fabbroni, Sergio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Belle Mead, NJ EM Inc USA 01.02.1995; Excerpta medica
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Hormones. Endocrine system; Medical sciences; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Appetite; Human; Anorexia; Chemotherapy; Urinary system disease; Treatment; Body weight; Digestive diseases; Cachexia; Megestrol; Malignant tumor; Progestagen
• ISSN: 0011-393X; 1879-0313
• DOI: 10.1016/0011-393X(95)85044-9

Anorexia and cachexia, major problems in patients with advanced cancer, lead to decreased caloric intake and weight loss. Successful treatment of these conditions has a positive effect on patients' quality of life. Megestrol acetate therapy has been shown to stimulate appetite and nonfluid weight gain in patients with cancer. We explored the effect of oral megestrol acetate, 160 mg twice daily (total daily dose 320 mg) for 3 weeks in 24 patients with advanced bladder or colorectal carcinoma. After treatment, 15 patients (63%) significantly increased their food intake ( P < 0.05); 20 patients (83%) gained weight ( P < 0.05), and 16 patients (67%) showed improvement in performance status. No patient reported negative effects of therapy such as nausea, emesis, edema, hypertension, or thromboembolic events. No signs of hepatic, renal, metabolic, or cardiac toxicity were seen. Although the mechanism by which megestrol acetate produces weight gain and subsequently improves the quality of life of cancer patients is not fully understood, our data show that it is safe, well tolerated, and, above all, capable of containing anorexia and cachexia in patients with advanced cancer.