Cancer

This article contains information on cancer in people with ME/CFS, and the the use of drugs developed for cancer in people with ME/CFS.

For information about post-cancer fatigue, see cancer-related fatigue.

Treatment
In isolated cases, certain ME/CFS patients undergoing cancer treatment found that their ME/CFS symptoms improved. This has led to clinical trials of a few specific cancer ME/CFS drugs.

ME/CFS
A study by Chang et al. (2012) found that a history of chronic fatigue syndrome was associated with an increased risk of certain Non-Hodgkin lymphomas, specifically diffuse large B cell lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma, and B cell Non-Hodgkin lymphoma not otherwise specified.

Ampligen
Ampligen (rintatolimod) is an unlicensed, experimental drug originally developed for cancer.

Cyclophosphamide
An observational study of ME/CFS patients with cancer who were prescribed cyclophosphamide for their cancers, showed unexpected improvements in ME/CFS symptoms.

Rituximab
Rituximab, a drug used for leukemia, has been through several clinical trials for ME/CFS patients, but failed in a phase III clinical trial.

Notable studies

 * 2020, Intravenous Cyclophosphamide in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. An Open-Label Phase II Study - (Full text)
 * 2016, Mortality in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome (Full Text)
 * 2016, Chronic fatigue syndrome in patient with ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma - (Abstract)
 * 2012, Chronic fatigue syndrome and subsequent risk of cancer among elderly U.S. adults - (Full text)
 * 2000, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Cancer - (Abstract)