A case-control study of Panicum Miliaceum in the treatment of cancer chemotherapy-induced alopecia.

AIM: Alopecia still remains one of the most untreatable side-effects induced by cancer chemotherapy. According to the phytotherapeutic tradition, Panicum Miliaceum has been proven to be effective in the prevention of hair loss for different reasons. At present, however, there are no data about its possible efficacy in the treatment of cancer chemotherapy-induce alopecia. The aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy of Panicum Miliaceum in cancer patients treated with the most potent chemotherapeutic drugs in terms of hair loss, consisting of cisplatin (CDDP) and anthracyclines. METHODS: This case-control study included 28 cancer patients concomitantly treated with Panicum Miliaceum and 56 patients receiving the same combinations of chemotherapy alone as a control group. Panicum Miliaceum was given orally at 300 mg (daily dose) 3 times per day, every day until the end of chemotherapy. The grade of hair loss was assessed by World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. RESULTS: The percentage of alopecia of third grade observed in patients concomitantly treated with Panicum Miliaceum in association with CDDP-containing regimens was significantly lower than that found in those who received the chemotherapy only. The percentage was also lower under anthracycline-containing schedules, without, however, statistically significant differences. Panicum Miliaceum therapy was substantially well tolerated in all patients. RESULTS: This preliminary study would suggest that the concomitant treatment with Panicum Miliaceum may be effective in preventing hair loss induced by CDDP-containing chemotherapies, whereas the benefit was lower in patients treated with anthracyclines. Future randomized studies will be necessary to confirm these preliminary

Effect of acupressure on nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy in cancer patients.

AIM: Corticosteroids, antidopaminergig agents and 5-HT3 antagonists are the most commonly used drugs in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced vomiting. Acupuncture and acupressure have also appeared to exert antiemetic effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of acupressure in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced vomiting resistant to the standard antiemetic therapies. METHODS: The study included 40 consecutive advanced cancer patients with untreatable chemotherapy-induced vomiting. Colorectal cancer, lung cancer and breast cancer were the neoplasm most frequent in our patients. According to tumour histotype, patients received chemotherapeutic regimens containing the main emetic cytotoxic agents, including cisplatin and athracyclines. Acupressure was made by PC6 point stimulation for at least 6 h/day at the onset of chemotherapy. RESULTS: The therapeutic approach was well accepted by the overall patients. An evident improvement in the emetic symptomatology was achieved in 28/40 (70%) patients, without significant differences in relation to neither tumor histotype, nor type of chemotherapeutic agent. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study seems to suggest that a bioenergetic approach by acupressure on PC6 point may be effective in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced vomiting resistant to the conventional pharmacological strategies, as previously demonstrated for vomiting occurring during pregnancy.