(Purpose) Targeted
therapy has been standard therapeutic approach for advanced
renal cell carcinoma (RCC). General
fatigue is frequently observed in patients who receive targeted
therapies for advanced RCC. General
fatigue makes it difficult to continue a standard schedule of treatment in many cases. In this preliminary report, we explored the effect of Koujin
powder (red ginseng
powder) with Ninjin-youeito for general
fatigue induced by targeted
therapies for advanced RCC. (Material and method) The patients who complained of general
fatigue during the treatment of
Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) as targeted
therapies for advanced RCC were included in this retrospective analysis. Thirty patients with advanced RCC were enrolled from January 2016 to December 2016 at Chiba University Hospital. Twelve patients were given 3 g of Koujin
powder with 9 g of Ninjin-youeito orally for two to four weeks (ginseng combination group). Eighteen patients who were not orally administered were compared as a control group (ginseng non-combination group). General
fatigue was assessed with the
Cancer Fatigue Scale (CFS), which divides quality of
fatigue into three subgroups by using a "physical subscale", an "affective subscale", and a "cognitive subscale". We compared CFS scores at baseline and 2-8 weeks after administration. (Results) There was no statistical difference in the clinical variables between the two groups. The total CFS score was significantly decreased
after treatment in the ginseng combination group (average score, 21.8 points at baseline vs 18.5 points
after treatment; p=0.041). On subgroup analyses, the physical subscale score was significantly reduced
after treatment in the ginseng combination group (average score, 9.7 points at baseline vs 7 points
after treatment; p=0.0042). In the ginseng non-combination group, the total CFS score was significantly increased during the course (average score, 16.2 points at baseline vs 20.6 points during the course; p=0.047). On subgroup analyses, the physical subscale score was significantly increased during the course (average score, 4.4 points at baseline vs 7.3 points during the course; p=0.0042). (Conclusions) Koujin
powder with Ninjin-youeito can be a therapeutic approach for general
fatigue induced by targeted
therapies. The precise management for general
fatigue can keep patients on
therapy, consequently provides a survival benefit.