A Randomized Phase III Trial of Olanzapine Versus Megestrol Acetate for Cancer-Associated Anorexia

Study on Medication for Appetite Loss in Cancer

S
Susan Ballinger

Primary Investigator

Recruiting
18 years - 100 years
All
Phase 3
5 participants needed
1 Location

Brief description of study

This phase III trial compares the effects of olanzapine versus megestrol acetate in treating loss of appetite in patients with cancer that has spread to other places in the body (advanced). Olanzapine may stimulate and increase appetite. This study aims to find out if olanzapine is better than the usual approach (megestrol acetate) for stimulating appetite and preventing weight loss.

Interested in participating? For more information about this research study or other cancer-related clinical trials at IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, please contact:

IU Clinical Trials Office 

Email: iutrials@iu.edu 

Phone: (317) 278-5632

Detailed description of study

Patient are randomized to 1 of 2 arms.

ARM I: Patients receive olanzapine orally (PO) once daily (QD) for up to 4 weeks in the absence of consent withdrawal or unacceptable toxicity.

ARM II: Patients receive megestrol acetate PO QD for up to 4 weeks in the absence of consent withdrawal or unacceptable toxicity.

Eligibility of study

You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria:

  • Conditions: Cancer, Advanced Malignant Solid Neoplasm, Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Cell Neoplasm, Cancer-Associated Anorexia
  • Age: 18 years - 100 years
  • Gender: All

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Women and men of reproductive potential should agree to use an appropriate method of birth control throughout their participation in this study due to the teratogenic potential of the therapy utilized in this trial. Appropriate methods of birth control include abstinence, oral contraceptives, implantable hormonal contraceptives or double barrier method (diaphragm plus condom)
  • Diagnosis of advanced cancer
  • Patient-reported 2-month weight loss of at least 5 pounds (2.3 kilograms) and/or physician-estimated caloric intake of less than 20 calories/kilogram of body weight per day
  • The patient must perceive loss of appetite and/or weight as a problem; and have an appetite score of 4 or worse on the "Please rate your appetite…." question that requires a patient response on a 0-10 numeric rating scale
  • Not receiving ongoing tube feedings or parenteral nutrition at the time of registration
  • Not currently using systemic adrenal steroids (with the exception of short-term dexamethasone within 3 days of chemotherapy for control of chemotherapy side effects)
  • No use of androgens, progesterone analogs, or other appetite stimulants within the past month
  • Patient should not have poorly controlled hypertension or congestive heart failure at registration
  • Patient should not have an obstruction of the alimentary canal, malabsorption, or intractable vomiting (defined as vomiting more than 3 times per day over the preceding week)
  • Not currently using olanzapine for another medical condition or had previously used olanzapine for chronic nausea or for any pre-existing psychotic disorder
  • Patient should not have had a previous blood clot at any time in the past
  • No history of poorly controlled diabetes
  • No symptomatic leptomeningeal disease or known brain metastases as these patients may have difficulty taking oral medications
  • No history of hypersensitivity to olanzapine or megestrol acetate
  • No COVID-19 infection in the past that, in the opinion of the treating physician, had left patients with compromised taste, which has not resolved at the time of registration
  • Not pregnant and not nursing, because this study involves an investigational agent whose genotoxic, mutagenic and teratogenic effects on the developing fetus and newborn are unknown. Therefore, for women of childbearing potential only, a negative urine or serum pregnancy test done =< 14 days prior to registration is required
  • Age >= 18 years
  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0, 1 or 2
  • Estimated life expectancy of 3 months or longer
  • Serum creatinine =< 2.0 mg/dL
  • Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) =< 3 x upper limit of normal (ULN)
  • Fasting glucose < 140 mg/dL
  • Granulocytes > 1000/hpf
  • No treatment with another antipsychotic agent, such as risperidone, quetiapine, clozapine, butyrophenone within 30 days of enrollment
  • In order to complete the mandatory patient-completed measures, participants must be able to speak and/or read English or Spanish. Sites seeking to enroll Spanish-speaking patients should have access to Spanish speaking staff on site or through the use of a translation service to be able to conduct the informed consent discussion in Spanish, and to conduct the weekly phone calls

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Psychiatric illness which would prevent the patient from giving informed consent
  • Medical condition such as uncontrolled infection (including human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]), uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or cardiac disease which, in the opinion of the treating physician, would make this protocol unreasonably hazardous for the patient
  • Patients who cannot swallow oral formulations of the agents
  • Patients with impaired decision-making capacity (such as with a diagnosis of dementia or memory loss) are not eligible for this study
  • No presence of a hormone-sensitive tumor, such as breast, endometrial, or prostate cancer (this exclusion criterion is intended to circumvent any confounding antineoplastic effects of megestrol acetate)

Updated on 05 Aug 2025. Study ID: CTO-A222004, 27323

This study investigates the effects of an investigational medication on appetite loss in patients with advanced cancer. Advanced cancer means the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. The purpose of this study is to compare the investigational medication with another usual medication to see which one is better at increasing appetite and preventing weight loss.

Participants in the study will be divided into two study arms. In one arm, participants will take the investigational medication once a day by mouth for up to four weeks. In the other arm, participants will take the usual medication once a day by mouth for the same period. This study is designed to ensure that participants do not experience harmful side effects from the treatment.

  • Who can participate: Adults aged 18 and older with advanced cancer experiencing significant weight loss or reduced appetite may participate. Participants must not have uncontrolled medical conditions and should not be using certain medications. Women and men of reproductive potential must use birth control.
  • Study details: Participants will take either the investigational medication or the usual medication daily by mouth. They will be monitored for any side effects and changes in appetite and weight.
  • Study timelines: The study will last 4 weeks.

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