Effect of nandrolone in the treatment of cancer cachexia

Introduction: Cancer cachexia has a negative impact on quality of life and survival, and is characterized by proteolysis. Nandrolone may improve protein loss, but requires further study in cancer patients. Objective: To compare whether there is an improvement in nutritional parameters and quality of life with the use of anabolic steroid associated with corticosteroids in relation to use alone. Methods: A randomized, prospective, double-blind clinical trial was performed. Patients were divided into two groups, where group 1 patients received nandrolone twice a month (2 doses) and dexamethasone (4 mg) once daily and group 2 received dexamethasone (4 mg) for 30 days. Quality of life data (QoL C-30 - EORTC), body composition (BIA) and laboratory tests (RBC, albumin, CRP and transferrin) were compared. Results: Thirty patients received nandrolone and 28 patients received dexamethasone alone for 30 days. There was no difference in quality of life (p = 0.76); functional (p = 0.83) or symptom scales (p = 0.79); there was no difference in body composition regarding resistance (p = 0.74), reactance (p = 0.74) or body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.88) and there was no difference in laboratory tests of CRP (p = 0.10) and related to the nutritional status of albumin (p = 0.66) and transferrin (p = 0.13). Conclusion: There was no difference between the groups in the treatment of neoplastic cachexia and in palliative treatment in the period of 30 days.