The efficacy and safety of ketamine for depression in patients with cancer: a systematic review

• Leila Azari ^[1] ; Homa Hemati ^[2] ; Ronia Tavasolian ^[3] ; Sareh Shahdab ^[2] ; Stephanie M. Tomlinson ^[1] ; Margarita Bobonis Babilonia ^[1] ; Jeffrey Huang ^[4] ; Danielle B. Tometich ^[4] ; Kea Turner ^[4] ; Heather S.L. Jim ^[4] ; Amir Alishahi Tabriz ^[4]
  1. [1] University of South Florida

     University of South Florida

     Estados Unidos

     
  2. [2] Tehran University of Medical Sciences

     Tehran University of Medical Sciences

     Irán

     
  3. [3] University of Chester

     University of Chester

     Reino Unido

     
  4. [4] Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, United States

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• Localización: International journal of clinical and health psychology, ISSN 1697-2600, Vol. 24, Nº. 1, 2024, págs. 151-160
• Idioma: inglés
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  • Abstract Background Management of depression in the oncology population includes supportive psychotherapeutic interventions with or without psychotropic medication, which take time to demonstrate effectiveness. Fast-acting interventions, like ketamine, can provide a rapid antidepressant effect; however, there has been limited research on effects of ketamine among cancer patients. The objective of this review is to provide an overview of research on the efficacy and safety of ketamine on depression in patients with cancer.

    Methods We reviewed the published literature in MEDLINE® (via PubMed®), EMBASE, and Scopus from 1 January 1982 to 20 October 2022. We screened the retrieved abstracts against inclusion criteria and conducted a full‐text review of eligible studies. Following extraction of data from included studies, we used a framework analysis approach to summarize the evidence on using ketamine in patients with cancer.

    Results All 5 included studies were randomized clinical trials conducted in inpatient settings in China. In all included studies ketamine was administered intravenously. Three studies used only racemic ketamine, and two studies used both S-ketamine and racemic ketamine. All included studies reported ketamine a tolerable and effective drug to control depression symptoms.

    Conclusion Included studies showed administration of sub-anesthesia ketamine significantly improves postoperative depression among patients with cancer.