Researchers affiliated with the North Central Cancer Treatment Group, N03CA trial have reported that American Ginseng Doses of 1000-2000 mg/day may be effective in alleviating cancer-related fatigue. The details of this randomized trial were presented at the 2007 meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in June. 

Fatigue is one of the major complaints of patients with cancer. In some instances fatigue is related to anemia which can often be alleviated by the administration of  epoetin alfa (Procrit®, Epogen®) or darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp). There are several alternative or complementary medicines that are taken by patients to alleviate cancer-related fatigue, including ginseng. 

These researchers performed a randomized trial of three doses of ginseng versus placebo in 282 patients with cancer-related fatigue. There were no differences in toxicity measurements between the 4 groups. Patients receiving the higher doses of ginseng were reported to have improved fatigue endpoints. Approximately one quarter of patients receiving the higher doses of ginseng reported better fatigue levels compared to 10% of patients in the placebo group and patients receiving the lowest dose of ginseng (750 mg/day). The fraction of patients satisfied with treatment was 13% in the control group and 24-34% in those receiving ginseng. These authors suggest that further studies of ginseng are warranted.  

Comments: This is one of the few studies to show possible benefit from alternative or complementary herbal treatments.

Reference: Barton DL, Soori GS, Bauer B, et al. A pilot, multi-dose placebo-controlled evaluation of American ginseng (panax quinquefollius) to improve cancer-related fatigue: NCCTG trial NO3CA. Proceedings from the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Chicago/IL. 2007. Abstract # 9001. 

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