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Potential of chemotherapy–herb interactions in adult cancer patients

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Abstract

Goals of work

The purpose of this study was to examine the specific herbs or vitamins (HV) used by patients receiving chemotherapy. Specifically, the following aspects were investigated: (1) HV use among adult cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, (2) the frequency of potential chemotherapy–HV interactions, (3) communication patterns between oncologists and their cancer patients taking HV, and (4) patients’ reactions to two hypothetical scenarios of chemotherapy–HV interactions.

Patients and methods

Adult cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at a university-based outpatient clinic over a 1-month period were sent a validated eight-page questionnaire regarding the use of complementary/alternative medicine, focusing on HV use. A total of 76 patients participated; relevant medical information was obtained from study participants’ charts. The chemotherapy received was compared with HV use to assess for potentially detrimental chemotherapy–HV interactions.

Results

HV use in patients receiving chemotherapy was common (78%), with 27% of the study participants being at risk of a detrimental chemotherapy–HV interaction. Most patients (>85%) would discontinue their HV or ask their medical oncologist for advice if a detrimental chemotherapy–HV interaction was suspected. Although most patients discussed HV use with their oncologist, the majority also relied on their friends and naturopathic physician for information regarding HV.

Conclusions

Considerable potential exists for detrimental chemotherapy–HV interactions. Methods to improve communication of HV use between cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and health-care practitioners are necessary to identify and minimize the risk of these interactions.

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Acknowledgements

The thoughtful comments of Danny D. Shen, PhD, and Leanna Standish, ND, are greatly appreciated. We would also like to thank Trey Powell and Geoff Chang for their data entry support and the patients for their participation in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Jeannine S. McCune, Amy J. Hatfield, Anne A. R. Blackburn, Patricia O. Leith, Robert B. Livingston & Georgiana K. Ellis

  2. Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, WA, USA

    Jeannine S. McCune, Amy J. Hatfield, Anne A. R. Blackburn, Patricia O. Leith, Robert B. Livingston & Georgiana K. Ellis

  3. University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, H361E, Box 357630, Seattle, WA 98195-7630, USA

    Jeannine S. McCune

Authors
  1. Jeannine S. McCune
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  2. Amy J. Hatfield
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  3. Anne A. R. Blackburn
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  4. Patricia O. Leith
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  5. Robert B. Livingston
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  6. Georgiana K. Ellis
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jeannine S. McCune.

Additional information

This work was supported by University of Washington Undergraduate Research Training and University of Washington School of Pharmacy.

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McCune, J.S., Hatfield, A.J., Blackburn, A.A.R. et al. Potential of chemotherapy–herb interactions in adult cancer patients. Support Care Cancer 12, 454–462 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-004-0598-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-004-0598-1

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