Original Article

Prevalence of complementary medicine use in a phase 1 clinical trials program†

The MD Anderson Cancer Center Experience

  1. Aung Naing MD1,‡,*,
  2. Saneese K. Stephen MPAS, PA-C, MPA1,
  3. Moshe Frenkel MD2,
  4. Chandtip Chandhasin PhD1,
  5. David S. Hong MD1,
  6. Xiudong Lei PhD3,
  7. Gerald Falchook MD, MS1,
  8. Jennifer J. Wheler MD1,
  9. Siqing Fu MD, PhD1,
  10. Razelle Kurzrock MD1

Article first published online: 28 APR 2011

DOI: 10.1002/cncr.26164

Issue

Cancer

Cancer

Volume 117, Issue 22, pages 5142–5150, 15 November 2011

Additional Information

How to Cite

Naing, A., Stephen, S. K., Frenkel, M., Chandhasin, C., Hong, D. S., Lei, X., Falchook, G., Wheler, J. J., Fu, S. and Kurzrock, R. (2011), Prevalence of complementary medicine use in a phase 1 clinical trials program. Cancer, 117: 5142–5150. doi: 10.1002/cncr.26164

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (Phase 1 Program), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas

  2. 2

    Integrative Medicine Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas

  3. 3

    Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas

  1. ‡

    Fax: (713) 563-0566

*Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Box 455, Houston, TX 77030

  1. †

    We acknowledge Joann Aaron, Senait Fessahaye, and Jean T. Pham-Roy for manuscript editing and data collection.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 3 NOV 2011
  2. Article first published online: 28 APR 2011
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 7 MAR 2011
  4. Manuscript Revised: 11 FEB 2011
  5. Manuscript Received: 27 DEC 2010

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Keywords:

  • phase 1 clinical trials;
  • complementary medicine;
  • alternative medicine

In a phase 1 clinical trial, the concurrent use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in patients with advanced malignancies was evaluated. CAM usage was found to be common.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

A key end point of early cancer clinical trials is the assessment of toxicities and their possible association with new experimental drugs. Therefore, the concurrent use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in patients with advanced malignancies seen in a dedicated phase 1 clinic was evaluated.

METHODS:

An investigator-designed survey was anonymously completed by patients seen in the phase 1 clinic. Pharmacologic CAM included any oral, topical, or intravenous agent, including vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products. Nonpharmacologic CAM included prayer, meditation, hypnosis, massage, and acupuncture.

RESULTS:

Of the 404 patients approached about completing the CAM survey, 394 (98%) agreed to respond, and 309 (78%) surveys were returned. Of those 309 patients, 162 (52%) used 1 or more CAM. Of the 162 CAM users, 77% utilized pharmacologic CAM, 71% used nonpharmacologic CAM, and 48% used both modalities. The most frequent CAM used were vitamins (70%), prayer (57%), and herbal products (26%). CAM utilization was not significantly associated with race, age, level of education, employment, or income level but was used more by women than men (P < .01). There was no statistically significant association between the use of CAM and quality of life as perceived by patients. Of the CAM users, 43% of patients had been using CAM for >5 years. Only 5% reported having side effects from using CAM, whereas 23% did not fully disclose their CAM use to their physicians.

CONCLUSIONS:

CAM usage is common in patients with advanced malignancies seen in a phase 1 clinic. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.

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