Arthritis drug may help those on chemo

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 27 (UPI) -- Ohio researchers have found evidence that a rheumatoid-arthritis drug might help reduce fatigue and muscle wasting in cancer patients on chemotherapy.

Cancer patients' fatigue often hinders physicians' ability to deliver chemotherapy to them on schedule because of their weakened state.

"Even though this was a small study, we found that we could deliver more chemotherapy when combined with the drug etanercept," said lead author Miguel A. Villalona-Calero, an associate professor at Ohio State University and researcher at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center.

"This shows promise in helping reduce fatigue in cancer patients while increasing their ability to tolerate higher doses of chemotherapy on a more frequent basis."

The fatigue and muscle wasting associated with cancer are largely caused when immune cells release a substance known as tumor necrosis factor. Although TNF historically has been studied for its anti-cancer properties, recent studies indicate that TNF probably promotes tumor growth instead of hindering it.

The drug etanercept is a decoy receptor that blocks interaction with TNF, according to Villalona-Calero.

The findings of the preliminary study with 24 patients are published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.