Effects of Mirtazapine on Appetite in Advanced Cancer Patients

Running, not enrolling · Phase 2 · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Advanced Cancer, Anorexia, Weight Loss, Insomnia

In brief

Primary objective: This is a preliminary study to determine if Mirtazapine in comparison to placebo will improve appetite in advanced cancer patients with anorexia and weight loss. An improvement of appetite is defined as a decrease of 2 in the appetite score from baseline on the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) at day 15 (+/-3 days). Secondary objective-A: To determine if Mirtazapine in comparison to placebo will improve insomnia ( as measured by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) on day 15 ( +/- 3 days), and day 29 ( +/- 3 days) Secondary objective - B: To determine if Mirtazapine in comparison to placebo will improve other common symptoms such as pain, nausea and fatigue( as measured by ESAS), depression and anxiety ( as measured by Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale), and quality of life ( as measured by Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy ) in advanced cancer patients with anorexia/cachexia, on days 15 (+/-3 days), and 29 (+/-3 days) Other Objectives: To provide exploratory data on the effects of Mirtazapine on weight gain, and preservation/gain lean muscle mass ( anthropometric measurements and Bioelectric Impedance), on days 15 (+/-3 days), and 29 (+/-3 days). To provide exploratory data on the effects of a Mirtazapine dose increase to 30 mg on decreased side effects of drug and increased appetite on day 29 (+/-3 days).

Key facts

Study ID: NCT00488072
Run by: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
People needed: 98
Starts: 2007-01-08
Expected to finish: 2027-12-31
Last updated by the study team: 2026-06-12

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

Advanced cancer patients seen in outpatient clinics or inpatient units at MD Anderson Cancer Center, with presence of anorexia for at least one month, and accompanied by weight loss of > 5 % of pre-illness body weight in the last 6 months. Anorexia on the day of enrollment (day 0 +/-3) must be > 4/10 on ESAS.
Patients > 18 years of age
Karnofsky Performance score of > 40 at time of inclusion into study
Ability to provide informed consent and comply with study procedures
Ability and willingness to return to engage in telephone follow-up by research nurse on days 2 (+/- 3 days), 8 (+/- 3 days), 16 ( +/- 3 days), and 22 (+/- 3 days) and return to outpatient clinic for evaluation on days 15 (+/- 3 days), and 29 (+/- 3 days).
Negative urine pregnancy test at time of inclusion into study for female patients of childbearing potential, within 24 hours of study enrollment.
For patients receiving chemotherapy eligibility to be determined after discussion with primary oncologist
Drowsiness of </= 4/10 on ESAS at baseline due to known potential sedating effects of Mirtazapine
Patient can continue all medications including complementary therapies or antineoplastic therapy while on-study (with the permission of their Attending MD) if they have been on stable dose for at least 2 weeks.
Patients who are on stable doses of antidepressants for at least 2 months.

You may not qualify if…

Patients who have known dementia or delirium at time of enrollment as determined by a physician.
Known hypersensitivity to any ingredient of Mirtazapine
Inability to maintain oral intake over the course of the study, such as with mechanical obstruction of the alimentary tract or intractable vomiting
Ongoing use of tube feeding or parenteral nutrition
Current use of corticosteroids (with the exception of scheduled doses during time of chemotherapy), dronabinol, testosterone and progesterone derivatives such as megestrol acetate, or in the preceding 1 week prior to study enrollment.
Pregnancy or lactation or unwillingness to use contraceptives
A score of 11 or more, in each subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS) indicating clinical depression or anxiety. Those with HADS scores of > 11 at baseline indicating moderate or severe depression will be excluded from the study and will be referred for appropriate follow up by counselor and psychiatry evaluation.
Patients on chronic use of benzodiazepines are excluded

Where it is running

University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center — Houston, Texas, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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