6-Gingerol is a natural compound extracted from ginger. Preclinical studies demonstrated that 6-gingerol has an anti-emetic activity by inhibiting neurokinin-1, serotonin, and dopamine receptors. Several clinical trials examined crude ginger powder for preventing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), but none of them was conducted with a standardized bioactive compound. Patients who received moderately to highly emetogenic adjuvant chemotherapy were randomized to receive 6-gingerol 10 mg or placebo orally twice daily for 12 weeks. Ondansetron, metoclopramide, and dexamethasone were given to all patients. The primary endpoint was complete response (CR) rate defined as no emesis or rescue treatment at any time. Eighty-eight patients were randomized to receive 6-gingerol (N = 42) or placebo (N = 46). Most patients received highly emetogenic chemotherapy (93%). Overall CR rate was significantly higher in 6-gingerol group as compared with that of the placebo (77 vs. 32%; P < 0.001). The difference in means of appetite score was significant (P = 0.001) and more noticeable over time. Mean FACT-G score indicating quality of life was significantly higher (86.21) in 6-gingerol group at 64 days as compared with that of placebo group (72.36) (P < 0.001). No toxicity related to 6-gingerol was observed. Patients treated with 6-gingerol reported significantly less grade 3 fatigue (2 vs. 20%; P = 0.020). 6-Gingerol significantly improved overall CR rate in CINV, appetite and quality of life in cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. A phase III randomized study of 6-gingerol is warranted to confirm these results.

PurposeThe aim of this study was to examine the antioxidant activity of ginger extract oral supplement in newly diagnosed cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy compared to placebo.Patients and methodsNewly diagnosed cancer patients receiving moderate-to-high emetogenic potential adjuvant chemotherapy were randomized to receive either a ginger extract (standardized 6-gingerol 20 mg/day) or a placebo 3 days prior to chemotherapy, which they continued daily. Oxidant/antioxidant parameters, including the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), total glutathione (GSH/GSSG), lipid peroxidation products detected as malondialdehyde (MDA) and NO2−/NO3−, were measured at baseline and at days 1, 22, 43 and 64 after undergoing chemotherapy. Two-sided statistical analysis, with P < 0.05, was used to determine statistical significance.ResultsA total of 43 patients were included in the study: 19 and 24 patients were randomly assigned to the ginger group and placebo group, respectively. Antioxidant activity parameters, including SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH/GSSG, were significantly increased at day 64 in the ginger group compared to those in the placebo group, while MDA and NO2−/NO3− levels were significantly decreased (P < 0.0001). When compared to the baseline, the activities of SOD and CAT and the levels of GPx and GSH/GSSG were significantly higher on day 64 (P = 0.01), while the blood levels of MDA and NO2−/NO3− were significantly decreased (P < 0.01).ConclusionDaily supplement of ginger extract started 3 days prior to chemotherapy has been shown to significantly elevate antioxidant activity and reduce oxidative marker levels in patients who received moderate-to-high emetogenic potential chemotherapy compared to placebo.

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Introduction This study aimed to evaluate the participants’ comfort in understanding research papers written in English and discussing such research in English via an Asian online journal club. Methods A self-administered online survey was delivered to seven journal club meeting attendees from July 2020 to July 2021. A customer satisfaction analysis was performed to assess the association between the participants’ perspectives on program logistics and satisfaction. Results The recovery rate was 37.0% (44/119). After participating in the journal club, the median scores of critical appraisal skills, knowledge and/or pharmaceutical care skills in clinical practice, and discussion skills in English (assessed using a seven-point Likert scale) improved significantly (compared to pre-participation median scores) from 4 (interquartile range [IQR]: 3–5) to 5 (IQR: 4–6), 5 (IQR: 4–5) to 5 (IQR: 5–6), and 4 (IQR: 2–5) to 5 (IQR: 3–5), respectively ( P < 0.0001). The respondents also expressed great appreciation for the benefits and overall qualities of the journal club. Additionally, regarding patient care behavior after participation in the journal club, 34 (77.3%), 17 (38.6%), 16 (36.4%), and 14 (31.8%) respondents reported improvement in “drug information services,” “patient assessments,” “patient counseling,” and “multidisciplinary rounds,” respectively. Customer satisfaction analysis revealed that sharing information, mutual discussion, a shift system of presenters and co-chairs, and session duration should be improved as a matter of highest priority. Conclusion The findings suggest that our program could be helpful for Asian pharmacists, pharmacy students, and faculty members of the department of pharmacy.

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Background: Identifying key issues for patients with lung cancer is central to assessing quality of life (QOL). Gralla el al described in 2014 a five rated issues which were: maintaining independence, ability to perform normal daily activities, ability to sleep, not being a burden for caregivers and not being fatigued. Studies have shown that patients with advanced lung cancer have a decline in functional capacity from diagnosed and during treatment. Studies examining physical exercise in patients with lung cancer have indicated increased physical capacity, functional capacity and muscular capacity, but no unambiguously significant improvements in QOL. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of an exercise intervention for patients with advanced stage lung cancer. Method: Eligible patients >18 years with a WHO performance status 0-2 with stage IIIb-IV NSCLC and SCLC-ED who were undergoing chemotherapy at the Department of Oncology University Hospital Copenhagen were randomized to standard care or a 12 week physical and psycho-social intervention. Aerobic capacity (VO2peak), functional capacity (6MWD) and QOL (FACT-L) were measured at baseline and 12 weeks. Result: A total of 218 patients met the inclusion criteria and were randomized. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the groups. There was a significant improvement in 6MWD in both groups, improvement in intervention was 41.1 m and improvement in control was 16.5 m. There were no significant differences between-groups in overall QOL (FACT-L) although there was a significant improvement in groups in overall QOL (FACT-L), Physical wellbeing, Emotional wellbeing, Trial Outcome Index for the intervention group. There was a significant difference between groups in the subscale Social Wellbeing (FACT-L) P¼<0.04. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that functional capacity (6MWD) improves during a 12 week period for patients with advanced stage lung cancer. The improvements in both groups indicate an effect of chemotherapy on functional capacity however the significantly higher improvement in the intervention group indicate a further effect of the exercise intervention. The in-group improvement in QOL in the intervention group indicate a link between an incline in functional capacity and the QOL.