| [ Summary ] |
Although there are differences among survival rates of patients suffering from several types of gastrointestinal cancers, some of these rates have been expanding and, consequently, the incidence of side effects in patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy has increased. Owing to this circumstance, it is important to act and take extra care of patients with cancer. Most of the patients with gastrointestinal cancer suffer from cancer cachexia, and therefore, the relief of the suffering caused by the symptoms related to cancer cachexia is indispensable to improve their quality of life (QOL). Among these typical symptoms, the improvement of appetite and the prevention of skeletal weight loss are particularly important. Many approaches are being taken to achieve the improvement of the QOL of patients suffering from cancer cachexia. One of these approaches involves the development of drugs that potentiate ghrelin signaling, a peptide that promotes appetite. Rikkunshito, a Japanese Kampo medicine, is a candidate to promote ghrelin signaling and improves appetite in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Furthermore, the benefits of another Japanese KAMPO medicine, hangeshashito, have been recognized for the treatment of oral stomatitis in patients with cancer. Several other Japanese KAMPO medicines are also attractive candidates for treatments aiming at improving appetite and QOL in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. |