Impact of a topical lotion, CG428, on permanent chemotherapy-induced alopecia in breast cancer survivors: a pilot randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial (VOLUME RCT).

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a topical lotion (CG428) on hair thickness and density in breast cancer survivors with permanent chemotherapy-induced alopecia (PCIA). METHODS: The study was a double-blind, randomized controlled trial which conducted from February 2016 to December 2016 at the Samsung Comprehensive Cancer Center in Seoul, South Korea. Breast cancer patients with PCIA were randomized on average of 3.5 years after chemotherapy. Topical lotion (Batch DT023) is a botanical drug under development containing a novel patented blend of 4 botanical ingredients: citrus, cocoa, guarana, and onion. Participants were asked to self-apply the study product or placebo twice per day for 6 months. Changes in hair density and thickness were assessed using a noninvasive bioengineering device, and patient-reported outcomes were evaluated at 3 and 6 months after randomization. RESULTS: A total of 35 patients were randomized to intervention (N = 18) or placebo (N = 17). Patients in the intervention group were older than those in the placebo group (52.1 vs. 41.6 years; P < 0.001). The mean hair density (SD) at baseline was 97.6 (6.4) and 126.8 (30.3) hairs/cm2 in the intervention and placebo group, respectively (P = 0.005). The corresponding values for hair thickness were 49.9 (12.7) and 48.1 (8.4) µm, respectively. After 6 months, hair density had increased by 34.7 and 24.9% compared with baseline in the intervention and control groups, respectively (P = 0.37). Corresponding values for hair thickness were 19.8 and 35.6%, respectively (P = 0.23). Similar findings were observed after age adjustment. DISCUSSION: In this pilot randomized clinical trial, we observed safety, tolerability, and a trend toward the efficacy of CG428 vs. placebo, especially regarding hair density and self-reported improvement.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine by lymphoma survivors in South Korea.

PURPOSE: We aimed to examine the experience of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use and its association with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in lymphoma survivors in South Korea. METHODS: The participants were 869 lymphoma survivors from three hospitals in South Korea, all diagnosed with lymphoma at least 24 months prior to participation. Self-reported questionnaires were used to assess CAM use. The questionnaire addressed types of CAM used, sources of information about CAM, reason for CAM use, satisfaction with CAM use, discussion of CAM use with doctors, experience of side effects, costs of CAM use, and intentions to continue using CAM. HRQOL was measured with the EORTC QLQ-C30. RESULTS: Of the 869 participants, 42.2% had experience using CAM, and there were statistically significant differences among CAM users and non-users in terms of sex, religion, and time since diagnosis. A special diet (e.g., ginseng, chitosan, mixed cereals) was the most commonly used type of CAM, and most CAM users (82.1%) were satisfied with their CAM use. Most CAM users (77.5%) did not discuss the use of CAM with their doctors, and only 9.2% reported any side effects from CAM. CAM users showed significantly lower HRQOL scores than did non-users. CONCLUSION: A significant number of lymphoma survivors in Korea have used CAM, and most CAM users are satisfied with their CAM use. Oncology nurses should be aware of the range of CAM use among patients and reflect their responses in their treatment and/or follow-up care.

Who are happy survivors? Physical, psychosocial, and spiritual factors associated with happiness of breast cancer survivors during the transition from cancer patient to survivor.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate physical, psychosocial, and spiritual factors associated with happiness in breast cancer survivors during the reentry period. METHODS: It is a cross-sectional study with 283 nonmetastatic breast cancer survivors who completed treatment within 1 year. We included survivors who completed questionnaires on happiness and health-related quality of life (QoL) 2 years after cancer diagnosis. Happiness and QoL was measured using the Subjective Happiness Scale and EORTC QLQ-C30, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression was used to find factors associated with happiness. RESULTS: The mean age of the study participants was 48.5 ± 7.8 years. Among the 283 survivors, 14.5%, 43.8%, 32.5%, and 2.1% reported being "very happy," "happy," "neutral," and "not happy at all," respectively. Happy survivors reported a better general health status and QoL (67.6 vs 49.6; P < .01), and fewer symptoms compared to unhappy survivors. Happy survivors were more likely to feel certain about the future (27.2% vs 11.9%, P < .01), have a strong purpose in life (22.4% vs 9.3%, P < .01), and feel hopeful (36.4% vs 8.5%, P < .01) compared to unhappy survivors. In a multivariate model, having purpose (OR = 2.50, 95% CI 1.42-4.40) and hope (OR = 4.07, 95% CI 2.23-7.45) in life were found to be associated with happiness. CONCLUSIONS: During the reentry period, breast cancer survivors who are hopeful and have a clear purpose in life are more likely to be happy than those who are not. Setting proper life goals might be beneficial to help breast cancer survivors who experience persistent QoL issues.