BACKGROUNDRecent laboratory and epidemiologic studies have suggested that green tea has antitumor effects in patients with prostate carcinoma. This Phase II trial explored green tea's antineoplastic effects in patients with androgen independent prostate carcinoma.METHODSThis study, which was conducted by the North Central Cancer Treatment Group, evaluated 42 patients who were asymptomatic and had manifested, progressive prostate specific antigen (PSA) elevation with hormone therapy. Continued use of luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone agonist was permitted; however, patients were ineligible if they had received other treatments for their disease in the preceding 4 weeks or if they had received a long‐acting antiandrogen therapy in the preceding 6 weeks. Patients were instructed to take 6 grams of green tea per day orally in 6 divided doses. Each dose contained 100 calories and 46 mg of caffeine. Patients were monitored monthly for response and toxicity.RESULTSTumor response, defined as a decline ≥ 50% in the baseline PSA value, occurred in a single patient, or 2% of the cohort (95% confidence interval, 1–14%). This one response was not sustained beyond 2 months. At the end of the first month, the median change in the PSA value from baseline for the cohort increased by 43%. Green tea toxicity, usually Grade 1 or 2, occurred in 69% of patients and included nausea, emesis, insomnia, fatigue, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and confusion. However, six episodes of Grade 3 toxicity and one episode of Grade 4 toxicity also occurred, with the latter manifesting as severe confusion.CONCLUSIONSGreen tea carries limited antineoplastic activity, as defined by a decline in PSA levels, among patients with androgen independent prostate carcinoma. Cancer 2003;97:1442–6. © 2003 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.11200

Preliminary information has suggested that megestrol acetate leads to appetite stimulation and nonfluid weight gain in patients with breast cancer, other cancers, and AIDS. Pursuant to this, we developed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of megestrol acetate in patients with cancer-associated anorexia and cachexia. We randomly assigned 133 eligible patients to receive 800 mg of megestrol acetate per day or a placebo. Patients assigned to megestrol acetate more frequently reported improved appetite (P = .003) and food intake (P = .009) when compared with patients receiving the placebo. A weight gain of 15 lb or more over baseline was seen in 11 of 67 (16%) patients receiving megestrol acetate compared with one of 66 (2%) given the placebo (P = .003). Patients receiving megestrol acetate reported significantly less nausea (13% vs. 38%; P = .001) and emesis (8% vs. 25%, P = .009). No clinically or statistically significant toxic reactions were ascribed to megestrol acetate, with the exception of mild edema. This study convincingly demonstrated that megestrol acetate can stimulate appetite and food intake in patients with anorexia and cachexia associated with cancer, leading to significant weight gain in a proportion of such patients.

Both Replens and the placebo appear to substantially ameliorate vaginal dryness and dyspareunia in breast cancer survivors.

A topical capsaicin cream decreases postsurgical neuropathic pain and, despite some toxicities, is preferred by patients over a placebo by a three-to-one margin among those expressing a preference.

Pineal serotonin N-acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.5) is a neurally regulated enzyme. It is detectable in the rat as early as 4 days prior to birth. A circadian rhythm in enzyme activity appears on the fourth day after birth. It develops most rapidly during the second week and achieves an adult magnitude by the end of the third week at which time nocturnal values are more than 30-fold greater than daytime values. Norepinephrine, which appears to be the neurotransmitter regulating this enzyme, can cause a 2-to 3-fold stimulation of N-acetyltransferase in organ cultures of pineal glands from 4-day-old animals and a 17-fold increase in the activity of glands from 15-day-old animals. Apparently the norepinephrinesensitive system controlling pineal N-acetyltransferase activity also develops most rapidly during the first few weeks of life. The circadian rhythm in the activity of serotonin N-acetyltransferase develops in the pineal glands of both male and female rats at the same rate. A similar rhythm for the enzyme was not observed in twelve other tissues of the rat.