PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION IN CANCER-PATIENTS - A PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY OF MIANSERIN

Background. Depression has a reported mean prevalence of 24% in patien ts diagnosed with cancer. However, little systematic research on the e fficacy of antidepressants in patients with cancer has been performed. Method. The efficacy and safety of mianserin were studied in 55 depre ssed women with breast cancer (stage I or II and without known metasta ses), in a randomised, double-blind, six-week, placebo-controlled stud y. Results. Statistically significant differences in the decrease in s core from baseline on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the number of responders, favouring mianserin, were present after 28 and 42 days of treatment. Significantly more placebo-treated patients prem aturely terminated the study dire to lack of efficacy while the safety profile of mianserin was similar to that of placebo. Conclusions. Tre atment with mianserin resulted in a significant improvement in depress ive symptoms in cancer patients, and was well tolerated.