[KOUJIN POWDER (RED GINSENG POWDER) WITH NINJIN-YOUEITO FOR FATIGUE DUE TO TARGETED THERAPY FOR ADVANCED RENAL CELL CARCINOMA: A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY].

(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.