Melatonin in patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background: The MIRCIT trial was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of advanced Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Patients and methods: Patients were randomized to receive 10 mg or 20 mg of melatonin or placebo. Assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was completed at baseline, and at 2, 3 and 7 months. Survival and adverse events were collected. DNA damage marker 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) was measured during the first three months of chemotherapy.

Results: Patients in the melatonin-treated group had better adjusted HRQoL scores, with a slightly significantly better score (2.69 points, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.01-5.38, p=0.049) being found in social well-being. Median survival was 7.3 months (95% CI=3.42-11.14) without significant difference. A great amont of DNA damage marker was observed in the placebo-treated group, and this was associated with lower survival (r(2)=-0.656, p=0.02), implying the protective effect of melatonin in healthy cells.

Conclusion: Melatonin in combination with chemotherapy did not affect survival and adverse events of advanced patients with NSCLC, but there was a trend for better HRQoL.