Megestrol Acetate and Cachexia Associated with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection

Letters and Corrections15 April 1989Megestrol Acetate and Cachexia Associated with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) InfectionPriscilla A. Furth, MDPriscilla A. Furth, MDSearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-110-8-667 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTo the Editor: Dr. Von Roenn and her colleagues (1) suggest that megestrol acetate is an effective treatment for the cachexia associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. All fourteen of their patients were reported to gain at least 0.5 kg/wk. Although this is an interesting observation, there are a few additional points clinicians need to consider when evaluating patients for this therapy.It is important to define "cachexia associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection." First, the authors apparently differentiate the "cachexia associated with HIV infection" from the HIV wasting syndrome as the treated patients were not reported to...References1. VonRoenn J, Murphy R, and Weber K. Megestrol acetate for treatment of cachexia associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Ann Intern Med. 1988;109:840-1. LinkGoogle Scholar2. Barinaga M. Placebos prompt new protocols for AIDS drug tests. Nature. 1988;335:485. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Tchekmedyian N, Tait N, and Moody M. High dose megestrol acetate. A possible treatment for cachexia. JAMA. 1987;257:1195-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Miksicek R, Heber A, and Schmid W. Glucocorticoid responsiveness of the transcriptional enhancer of Moloney murine sarcoma virus. Cell. 1986;46:283-90. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Emanoil-Ravier R, Merzier G, and Canivet M. Dexamethasone stimulates expression of transposable type A intracisternal retrovirus-like genes in mouse (mus musculus) cells. Virology. 1988;62:3867-9. CrossrefGoogle Scholar1. Frul J ed. Dorland's Medical Dictionary. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co.; 1974:241. Google Scholar2. Morgan L. Megestrol acetate with tamoxifen in advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal patients. Semin Oncol. 1985;12(Suppl. 1):43-7. MedlineGoogle Scholar3. Aisner J. Studies of high-dose megestrol acetate: potential applications in cachexia. Semin Oncol. 1988;15(Suppl. 1):68-75. MedlineGoogle Scholar4. Tchekmedyian N, Tait N, Moody M, and Aisner J. High-dose megestrol acetate. A possible treatment for cachexia. JAMA. 1987;257:1195-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Priscilla A. Furth, MDAffiliations: University of Maryland School of Medicine Baltimore, Maryland 21201 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byTargeting of G-protein coupled receptors in sepsisA retrospective study of the association between megestrol acetate administration and mortality among nursing home residents with clinically significant weight lossEffects of megestrol acetate on pituitary function and end-organ hormone secretion: A post hoc analysis of serum samples from a 12-week study in healthy older menImprovement in Quality-of-Life Measures and Stimulation of Weight Gain After Treatment with Megestrol Acetate Oral Suspension in Geriatric Cachexia: Results of a Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled StudyHIV Wasting Syndrome: Treatment UpdateDiabetes Mellitus Induced by Megestrol Acetate in a Patient with AIDS and CachexiaKeith Henry, MD, Scott Rathgaber, MD, Christopher Sullivan, MD, Kathleen McCabe, RNBibliographyInvited Review: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome and Malnutrition: Role of Gastrointestinal Pathology"Pilot" StudiesJohn E. Nelson, MD, PhD 15 April 1989Volume 110, Issue 8 Page: 667-668 Keywords HIV HIV infections ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 15 April 1989 PDF downloadLoading ...