Melatonin During Adjuvant Radiation for Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer
In a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial, women with early-stage breast cancer (majority stage I, N= 100) undergoing adjuvant radiation were given either a placebo or melatonin 20mg at bedtime daily, starting on the first day of radiotherapy and continuing through treatment completion. All participants received a total dose of radiotherapy of 50 Gy in 25 fractions (2 Gy per day for all patients).
At the completion of the trial, women taking melatonin had less fatigue, anxiety, and depression than women in the placebo group (MFI fatigue scores median: 42.5 vs 55; Beck Anxiety Inventory median: 28.5 vs 38; and Beck Depression Inventory median: 29 vs 38; <0.001 for all).
In analysis of melatonin response by cancer stage (I, II, III), there was no significant difference in the reduction in fatigue scores, suggesting that melatonin is effective regardless of disease stage.
Citation:
Sadeghi Yazdankhah S, Javadinia SA, Welsh JS, Mosalaei A. Efficacy of Melatonin in Alleviating Radiotherapy-Induced Fatigue, Anxiety, and Depression in Breast Cancer Patients: A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Integr Cancer Ther. 2025 Jan-Dec;24:15347354251371705. doi: 10.1177/15347354251371705.
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