Paullinia Cupana for Anorexia in Oncologic Patients

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Denutrition, lost of weight and anorexia are present in many oncologic patients at any time of the disease. Anorexia is the spontaneous loss of appetite and many changes in the metabolism are made in this case, leading to this syndrome called anorexia-cachexia, that includes changes in the tumoral response and inflammatory pathways. The guaraná (Paullinia cupana) is originally from Brazil and Venezuela and has been used culturally for headaches, muscle pains, depression and others. As it has shown a good response and tolerability for fatigue, the investigators decide to try guaraná for anorexia. Patients will receive guaraná as capsules of 50 mg twice daily, for 4 weeks, and will be weighted and respond questionaries about quality of life.

Detailed Description
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Patients 18 years and older, diagnosed with any cancer, that is losing weight and have anorexia will be selected. They must have normal levels of creatinine, thyroid evaluation and hepatic function. If they are taking corticosteroid, they must keep losing weight and refer anorexia, as well as if they are on treatment with chemotherapy. Patients will receive 50mg of the guaraná twice daily for 4 weeks. Every week will be an evaluation of the weight, level of appetite and answer 2 questionaries of quality of life and level of symptoms (FACT-G and MDASI). This is a fase II study, open-label, no randomized, with two steps following ¨two stages of Simon¨ model. First step 18 patients will be included and if there are 3 good responses second step will follow, including 17 more patients. Response will be considered if there is at least 5% of gain in the weight.

Official Title
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Guarana (Paullinia Cupana) for Anorexia Related to Cancer

Conditions
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Cancer-related Problem/Condition, Anorexia, Loss of Weight

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Paullinia cupana


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: adults (18 years old and older) palliative care or oncologic treatment loss of weight anorexia Exclusion Criteria: gastrointestinal obstruction blood pressure not controlled diabetes not treated

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Paullinea cupana<br>50mg of Paullinia cupana as capsule, twice daily | Drug: Paullinia cupana<br>* 50mg of Paullinia cupana as capsule, twice daily<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| weight | Patients will considered to respond to guaraná if the gain 5% or more of his inicial weight during the treatment period | eight weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| quality of life | Weekly patients will answer questionaries about quality of life like FACT-G | eight weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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anorexia, Paullinia cupana, loss of weight