Cancer

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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.

Signs and symptoms[edit | edit source]

Treatment[edit | edit source]

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.[1]

ME/CFS[edit | edit source]

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.[2]

Ampligen[edit | edit source]

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

See also
Ampligen.

Cyclophosphamide[edit | edit source]

An observational study of ME/CFS patients with cancer who were prescribed cyclophosphamide for their cancers, showed unexpected improvements in ME/CFS symptoms.[1]

See also
Cyclophosphamide.

Rituximab[edit | edit source]

Rituximab, a drug used for leukemia,[3] has been through several clinical trials for ME/CFS patients, but failed in a phase III clinical trial.[citation needed]

See also
Rituximab.

Notable studies[edit | edit source]

  • 2020, Intravenous Cyclophosphamide in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. An Open-Label Phase II Study[1] - (Full text)
  • 2016, Mortality in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome[4] (Full Text)
  • 2016, Chronic fatigue syndrome in patient with ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma[5] - (Abstract)
  • 2012, Chronic fatigue syndrome and subsequent risk of cancer among elderly U.S. adults[2] - (Full text)
  • 2000, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Cancer[6] - (Abstract)

See also[edit | edit source]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Rekeland, Ingrid G.; Fosså, Alexander; Lande, Asgeir; Ktoridou-Valen, Irini; Sørland, Kari; Holsen, Mari; Tronstad, Karl J.; Risa, Kristin; Alme, Kine; Viken, Marte K.; Lie, Benedicte K.; Dahl, Olav; Mella, Olav; Fluge, Øystein (2020). "Intravenous Cyclophosphamide in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. An Open-Label Phase II Study". Frontiers in Medicine. 7: 162. doi:10.3389/fmed.2020.00162. ISSN 2296-858X. PMC 7201056. PMID 32411717.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Chang, C.M.; Warren, J.L.; Engels, E.A. (2012). "Chronic fatigue syndrome and subsequent risk of cancer among elderly U.S. adults". Cancer. 118 (23): 5929–5936. doi:10.1002/cncr.27612.
  3. ↑ https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/rituximab
  4. ↑ McManimen, Stephanie L.; Devendorf, Andrew R.; Brown, Abigail A.; Moore, Billie C.; Moore, James H.; Jason, Leonard A. (2016). "Mortality in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome". Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health & Behavior. 4 (4): 195–207. doi:10.1080/21641846.2016.1236588.
  5. ↑ https://ajbm.net/bm-publisher-5711-2/
  6. ↑ Levine, Paul H.; Pilkington, Deborah; Strickland, Paula; Peterson, Daniel (2000). "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Cancer". Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. 7 (1): 29–38. doi:10.1300/J092v07n01_04.

B cell B lymphocyte, or a type of white blood cell, which is involved in the immune response by secreting antibodies to ward off infections. In mammals, they are mostly matured in the bone marrow.

phase three Last phase of clinical trials before a drug can be approved for public use. Whereas Phase one assesses basic safety, and Phase two assesses basic efficacy, Phase three uses many trial participants to fully assess both safety and efficacy, and overall benefit/risk.

myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.) - A disease often marked by neurological symptoms, but fatigue is sometimes a symptom as well. Some diagnostic criteria distinguish it from chronic fatigue syndrome, while other diagnostic criteria consider it to be a synonym for chronic fatigue syndrome. A defining characteristic of ME is post-exertional malaise (PEM), or post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion (PENE), which is a notable exacerbation of symptoms brought on by small exertions. PEM can last for days or weeks. Symptoms can include cognitive impairments, muscle pain (myalgia), trouble remaining upright (orthostatic intolerance), sleep abnormalities, and gastro-intestinal impairments, among others. An estimated 25% of those suffering from ME are housebound or bedbound. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies ME as a neurological disease.

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