Melatonin with cancer cachexia

Other studies have suggested that melatonin, a frequently used integrative medicine, can attenuate weight loss, anorexia and fatigue in patients with cancer. However, these studies were limited by a lack of blinding and absence of placebo controls. The prime purpose of this study was to compare melatonin with placebo for appetite improvement in patients with cancer cachexia. For this a randomised, double-blind, 28-day trial of melatonin 20 mg versus placebo in patients with advanced lung or GI cancer, appetite scores S 4 on a 0-10 scale (10=worst appetite), and history of weight loss S 5%, was performed [45 ]. 

A randomised, placebo-controlled trial examining the efficacy of melatonin (20 mg) in the treatment of cachexia in 73 advanced cancer patients foxmd that it did not improve appetite, weight or quality of life compared with placebo [53 ]. Despite the high dose of melatonin there was no difference befween the conditions in the prevalence or type of adverse events reported. 

Del Fabbro E, Dev R, Hui D, Palmer L, Bruera E. Effects of melatonin on appetite and other symptoms in patients with advanced cancer and cachexia a double-blind placebo-controUed trial. J GHn Oncol 2013 31(10) 1271-6. 

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