Bruera, E., Roca, E., Cedaro, L., Carraro, S., & Chacon, R. (1985). Action of oral methylprednisolone in terminal cancer patients: A prospective randomized double-blind study. Cancer Treatment Reports, 69, 751–754.
To compare the effectiveness of oral methylprednisolone against placebo for relief of symptoms in patients with terminal cancer (pain, psychiatric status, appetite, nutritional status, and daily activity)
Participants were randomized to two groups, one receiving a placebo and the other receiving oral methylprednisolone (MP).
Participants were evaluated in in the morning on days 0, 5, 13, and 33.
A randomized, double-blind, crossover trial design was used.
The following symptoms were measured.
At the completion of the study, 31 participants were evaluated. They showed significant improvement in pain, depression, appetite, and food consumption. No improvement was noted in anxiety or performance status.
No change in nutritional status was observed in either arm of the study. All parameters sensitive to MP reached maximum improvement during the first phase of the study. Eight of 23 participants who initially responded to MP were not experiencing symptomatic benefit from the drug by day 33.
The study suggested that short courses of corticosteroids can be given to severely symptomatic patients with advanced cancer who have no major contraindications.