Efficacy and safety of an amino acid jelly containing coenzyme Q10 and L-carnitine in controlling fatigue in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: a multi-institutional, randomized, exploratory trial (JORTC-CAM01).

PURPOSE: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most common symptoms reported by cancer patients. This randomized trial investigated the efficacy of the amino acid jelly Inner Power(®) (IP), a semi-solid, orally administrable dietary supplement containing coenzyme Q10 and L-carnitine, in controlling CRF in breast cancer patients in Japan. METHODS: Breast cancer patients with CRF undergoing chemotherapy were randomly assigned to receive IP once daily or regular care for 21 days. The primary endpoint was the change in the worst level of fatigue during the past 24 h (Brief Fatigue Inventory [BFI] item 3 score) from day 1 (baseline) to day 22. Secondary endpoints were change in global fatigue score (GFS; the average of all BFI items), anxiety and depression assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), quality of life assessed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and EORTC Breast Cancer-Specific QLQ (EORTC QLQ-BR23), and adverse events. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients were enrolled in the study, of whom 57 were included in the efficacy analysis. Median patient age was 50 years. Changes in the worst level of fatigue, GFS, and current feeling of fatigue were significantly different between the intervention and control groups, whereas the change in the average feeling of fatigue was not significantly different between groups. HADS, EORTC QLQ-C30, and EORTC QLQ-BR23 scores were not significantly different between the two groups. No severe adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION: IP may control moderate-severe CRF in breast cancer patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The registration number of this study in the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR) is UMIN000008646.

[Is the LHRH Agonist Recommended for Fertility Preservation ?].

The POEMS reportedan effect of goserelin for fertility preservation. The Clinical Practice Guideline for Breast Cancer by The Japanese Breast Cancer Society indicates that the use of the LHRH agonist (LHRHa) for preventing chemotherapy-induced early menopause is a grade C-1 recommendation, and its use for fertility preservation is a grade C-2 recommendation. Results from previous studies on the effects of LHRHa for fertility preservation have varied owing to differences in chemotherapy regimens, definitions of ovarian failure, and dosages of tamoxifen. In the POEMS, the primary endpoint of ovarian failure at 2 years was significantly lower, and the secondary endpoint of pregnancy outcomes was better in the combination group; however, precise interpretation is difficult because many cases were excluded. Currently, it is not necessary to revise The Clinical Practice Guideline; however, desirable results from future studies may allow the recommendation of a specific dosage of LHRHa for fertility preservation.

Can we improve breast cancer mortality in Okinawa? Consensus of the 7th Okinawa Breast Oncology Meeting.

The rate of breast cancer mortality in Okinawa has gradually been increasing up to 2010. Now Okinawa has the second worst mortality rate in Japan, in part due to the enormous dietary changes resulting from the post-World War II US military occupation, high incidence of obesity, high non-optimal treatment rate, and low breast-cancer screening rate. To reduce breast cancer mortality in Okinawa, we established the Okinawa Breast Oncology Meeting (OBOM) in 2012. At the 7th OBOM held on January 10th, 2014, we discussed the breast cancer mortality in Okinawa focusing on lifestyle, breast cancer screening and optimal treatments. The Okinawan women who were overweight and/or obese during premenopausal and postmenopausal ages had a statistically significant higher risk of breast cancer development compared to those with non-overweight and/or obese women. The traditional diet of Okinawa consists of foods low in calories but rich in nutritional value. Therefore, we recommend Okinawan people not to forget the Okinawan traditional lifestyle, and to reduce their bodyweight to prevent breast cancer. One of the main goals of the OBOM is to raise breast cancer screening attendance rates to 50% (29.2% in 2010). We should standardize the quality control for breast cancer screening in Okinawa. It is important to continue enlightening the Okinawan population to receive optimal treatment. In addition, we are striving to establish systematic medical cooperation between the hospitals specializing in breast cancer treatment with rural hospitals. The OBOM group endeavors to contribute to the improvement of breast cancer mortality in Okinawa.

The challenge to reduce breast cancer mortality in Okinawa: consensus of the first Okinawa breast oncology meeting.

Breast cancer mortality is gradually increasing in Okinawa. The 1st Okinawa Breast Oncology Meeting was held on 6 July 2012 and discussions on how to curb the rising trend were focused on breast cancer screening, adjuvant treatment, socioeconomic and geographic issues, and the problem of complementary and alternative medicine. The consensus of the 1st Okinawa Breast Oncology Meeting was that ultrasonography screening is an acceptable screening system for Okinawan women because of the geographic disadvantage of having many small islands and rural areas. Educational and economic support is needed for women in rural areas to get correct information, for access to urban areas and to be treated by evidence-based optimal therapy for breast cancer. In addition, new approaches are needed for Okinawan people to successfully educate patients to correctly interpret evidence-based information.

[Problems with topical use of Mohs paste for local recurrence of breast cancer].

Recently, several reports have been made concerning topical use of Mohs paste for local recurrence of breast cancer tumors. Since January 2008, after the introduction of Mohs paste for palliation in patients with local recurrences of breast cancer, we have encountered some problems such as pain, draining off of the paste and ulceration of the lesion. In this study, we have reported the advantages and disadvantage of using Mohs paste, the difference in the procedure depending on the purpose, and the management of problems. When using Mohs paste for the purpose of palliative therapy, these side effects are problems we should not ignore to prevent patient pain.