June 6, 2007 (Insidermedicine) Treating cancer patients without major depression with the antidepressant sertraline does not improve symptoms, wellbeing or survival, according to a report published in The Lancet Oncology.  

Many patients with cancer experience depression, anxiety, and fatigue, and are prescribed antidepressants to improve their symptoms and sense of wellbeing. Previous studies have shown that psychological support aimed at improving wellbeing can also prolong survival. 

To assess the benefits of antidepressants on symptoms and survival, researchers treated more than 180 patients with either 5 mg sertraline each day, or a placebo. Sertraline is a well-established antidepressant used to treat the symptoms of depression and anxiety. It was first approved by the FDA for use in the US in 1991. It was thought that sertraline might improve the patients’ health-related quality of life and increase survival by helping them cope better with their illness and treatment. 

However, data analysis revealed that sertraline had no significant effect on depression, anxiety, fatigue, wellbeing, or quality of life. Given its failure to prove any significant benefit of treating cancer patients with the antidepressant, the study was terminated.  

The findings suggest that using drugs to treat patients with advanced cancer when the benefit is unclear should be avoided. However, sertraline or other antidepressants should be used in situations where the benefit is clear, such as in patients with advanced cancer who are also diagnosed with major depression. 

Reporting for Insidermedicine, I’m Dr. Susan Sharma.