Public health and clinical advances have led to people living longer and consequently having a higher likelihood of living with illness. We undertake high-quality research that provides the evidence base to underpin and optimise quality healthcare practice for people with life-limiting illnesses.
Research in action
Drug Repurposing
We partner with industry to foster an enduring partnership to systematically identify drugs with repurposed therapeutic potential for investigative research.
Professor Angela Dawson:
Welcome to the Faculty of Health here at the University of Technology Sydney. We partner with industry to foster an enduring partnership to systematically identify drugs with repurposed therapeutic potential for investigative research.
Dr. Meera Agar:
I'm a palliative care physician by background, I've worked as a clinician for over 15 years and really saw that there was so many areas of clinical care where either the research didn't tell us all we needed to know to improve symptoms for people who had cancer, or where we were seeing a group of people where the treatments we did have to hand weren't effective for them for whatever reason. And so research to me really was the avenue to drive improvements.
So drug repurposing is research, which is aiming to use a medication which may be already in clinical practise for a particular indication. And through understanding the mechanism of how that drug works, looking for a much more broader indication or quite a different indication where we can see other benefits or new benefits from a medication that we know often quite a lot about in a completely different disease or condition.
There's a huge amount of research and resource that goes into develop a therapeutic agent. Many don't even see the light of day. So for the ones that are available, the timeline to get them to patients and into clinical practise is much, much shorter. So there's a real merit in drug repurposing from that mechanism.
So cachexia really is driven by the biology of the underlying condition. So we know that that happens for people with advanced cancer. I think there is a bit of an nihilistic attitude sometimes that losing your appetite and losing weight is part of the cancer experience, and it's not something that can be easily treated. But there are some things that can be done based on the evidence we have now. And we're also looking at the experience of living with this condition from a qualitative perspective. Because if we can understand the experience better, we will be able to understand what are the issues we need research to answer. And then we know that medicines are not the sole way to provide support and care. So one of our post-doctoral fellows is looking at some of the non-pharmacological interdisciplinary approaches around exercise, nutrition, proper assessment, regular assessment, and how we can integrate that into a package of care that people at risk of anorexia cachexia and also those who have the condition can really get comprehensive care.
There's so much work to be done and so much research in this area that's needed, there's an opportunity for contribution from a range of stakeholders, whether it's someone who has a lived experience of a particular condition, clinician researchers who are working in our clinical services across the country, and researchers across the university. And so the higher quality that we can make it, the outcomes are going to be so much better.
Open clinical trials
BETTER-B (AUS)
Investigators
The Chief Investigator (Australia) for this study is Professor David Currow.
The site principal investigators are Professor John Wheatley, Westmead Hospital, Dr Megan Ritchie, Concord Hospital, Dr Caitlin Sheehan, Calvary Health Care, Dr Peter Eastman, Barwon Health, McKellar Centre and Dr Michael Epton, Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand.
Health condition
Breathlessness
Full study title
BETTER-B (AUS) - BETter TreatmEnts for ChRonic Breathlessness (Australia)
An international, multicentre, randomised controlled pragmatic trial of mirtazapine to alleviate breathlessness in palliative and end of life care (Australian arm).
Aims
To find out if mirtazapine, an antidepressant, helps with breathlessness in people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or interstitial lung disease (ILD).
To find out from close friends or relatives of the people who agree to take part in this study, if they think taking mirtazapine helps with breathlessness.
Summary
Breathlessness is a common, distressing symptom in advanced diseases, particularly those affecting the heart and lungs, causing considerable disability for patients, an anxiety and social isolation for them and their family and carers.
Breathlessness that continues, despite optimal management of the underlying causes and current symptom relief measures, is termed 'chronic'. It generally worsens as disease progresses and is one of the most frightening aspects facing a person with advanced disease.
Breathlessness is associated with shortened life expectancy and often results in emergency visits and hospitalisation.
Non-pharmacological treatments take priority for chronic breathlessness, especially when patients are able to participate in physiotherapy, and where possible are first line treatment. However, there are few effective pharmacological treatments thus, chronic breathlessness represents a huge unmet need and new approaches are desperately required. Preliminary data suggest that serotonergic modulations may be beneficial but rigorous evaluation has not been conducted. There is therefore a need to explore the potential role of antidepressants in this setting.
Mirtazapine is widely used noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant (NaSSA). There is clinical experience to support its use in anxiety and panic disorder and clinical evidence for its use in major depressive disorders associated with anxiety.
BETTER-B will help address this unmet need by determining whether mirtazapine has a role in the management of chronic breathlessness in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) and interstitial lung disease (ILD).
Participating sites
The participating sites for the Australian arm of this study are:
- Westmead Hospital
- Concord Hospital
- Calvary Health Care
- Barwon Health, McKellar Centre
Funding
BETTER-B (AUS) has received funding from the National health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
Ketamine for depression
Subcutaneous ketamine infusion for major depressive disorder in palliative care patients with advanced life-limiting illness: a phase II pilot feasibility study
Chief Investigators: Dr Wei Lee, Dr Caitlin Sheehan, Dr Fiona Stafford-Bell, Professor Richard Chye, Professor Colleen Loo, Professor Brian Draper, Professor Meera Agar, Professor David Currow
Funding: Palliative Care Clinical Studies Collaborative
This study is in start-up phase with sites to open for recruitment early 2019. Dr Wei Lee was awarded a TCRN (Translational Cancer Research Network) Clinical PhD top-up scholarship for this work.
Depression is common in patients who have advanced life-limiting illness that significantly impacts quality of life. Most antidepressants have limited therapeutic benefits in patients with extremely short prognoses, due to the slow onset of action. In the psychiatry literature, subanaesthetic doses of ketamine are emerging as a novel rapid onset antidepressant for patients with treatment resistant major depression with high response rate, though having short-lived effect.
This study aims to explore the use of ketamine in palliative care for people with major depressive disorder, in particular to see if this agent can address significant need for antidepressants to have rapid effects. The specific primary aim is to determine the feasibility, safety, tolerability, acceptability and activity of individually tailored subcutaneous ketamine as a treatment for major depressive disorder in hospitalised patients with advanced life-limiting illnesses, and to generate pilot data on ketamine’s antidepressant effectiveness to inform a larger phase III trial.
Study is currently open to recruitment at 4 sites with 2 randomisations.
Life-space assessment-palliative care (LSA-PC)
Investigators
The principal investigator is Professor Jane Phillips.
The investigation team includes Professor Lawrence Lam, Dr Tim Luckett, Professor Meera Agar and Professor David Currow
Full study title
Validation of Modified Life-Space Assessment for palliative care populations
Aim
To assess if the Life-Space Assessment can accurately capture the degree to which people with palliative care needs who are living at home move freely and interact within their own home and their local community.
Summary
Maintaining independence for as long as possible by careful symptom control is a key palliative care goal. The extent to which palliative care intervention enable people to continue and maintain daily life within their environment of choice id difficult to measure comprehensively because of the physical, emotional, spiritual, occupational and social functioning domains impacting on a person's interaction within their life space.
People receiving palliative care are often too unwell to burden with an extensive battery of self-report measures. The expanded Life-Space Assessment questionnaire, which measures the spatial extent of the person's typical excursion over a defined period, if it is sensitive to changes over a short time frame may have applicability in palliative care populations as a brief summary measure of capacity to maintain functionality and engage in everyday activities of living.
Eligibility
This study is open to patients who live in the community (not hospitalised) and who are visited by a community-based palliative care service.
Participating sites
- Sacred Heart Health Service
- Calvary Kogarah
- Concord Hospital
- Barwon Health Service
Funding
Palliative Care Clinical Studies Collaborative (PaCCSC)
Lorazepam for anxiety and palliative care
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled feasibility study of oral lorazepam for symptoms of anxiety in participants with advanced life-limiting disease.
Investigator team: Dr Nicola Atkin, Associate Professor Brian Le, Professor Jennifer Philip, Professor Mei Krishnasamy, Dr Maria Ftanou, Dr Donovan Moncur, Ms Shu-Yi Soong, Professor Meera Agar, Professor David Currow
Funding: Bethlehem Griffiths Research Foundation, $49,495
This is a prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group, feasibility study of oral lorazepam for symptoms of anxiety in participants with advanced life-limiting disease. The principal aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of conducting a Phase III randomised controlled trial which is intended to compare lorazepam, an antidepressant, and placebo for symptoms of anxiety in palliative care patients.
This feasibility study will recruit approximately 21 adult palliative care inpatients and outpatients with symptoms of anxiety. All participants will receive a non-pharmacological action plan for managing episodic anxiety prior to randomisation. Following baseline assessments, participants will be randomised to the lorazepam arm or lorazepam matched placebo arm. Lorazepam 2 mg BD will be the maximum daily dose. Daily administration of the study treatment will commence on Day 1 and continue for 12 weeks.
Patient reported outcomes and medical file review will be completed on Day 3, and at the end of Weeks 1, 2, 4, and 8.
The Up study
Investigators
The Principal Investigator for this study is Dr Raj Aggarwal.
The investigation team includes Professor Meera Agar and Dr Thang Du Huynh.
Full study title
A multi-centred pilot study phase 2 prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled trial to determine the efficacy, side effects profile and optimal dose of Pregabalin in the management of uraemic pruritus in patients with End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) who are conservatively managed.
ANZCTR trial ID
tbc
Aim
The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy, side effects and optimal dose of Pregabalin in the management of uraemic pruritus in people wtih End SStage Kidney Disease (ESKD).
Summary
Uraemic pruritus (UP) is a common and often disabling symptom experienced by people with ESKD. It is associated with an impaired quality of life, disrupted sleep, depression and reduced mortality. In a large systematic study of symptom prevalence in people with ESKD on dialysis, the mean weighted prevalence of UP was 55% and in studies of symptom prevalence in people with ESKD being managed conservatively the prevalence ranged from 69% to 74%.
While there are many theories, the aetiology of UP remains uncertain. Among those medications that have shown encouraging results in the treatment of UP are alpha 2 delta subunit ligands (gabapentinoids). A recent qualitative systematic review of the literature on the management of UP with gabapentin indicates more high-quality research is needed.
Eligibility
Pruritus, or itch, is a common problem for people with chronic renal failure. You may be eligible to participate in this trial if you are 18 years or older and have moderate to severe itch or chronic itch.
Participating sites
- Liverpool Hospital
- Other sites tba
Funding
Palliative Care Clinical Studies Collaborative
Closed clinical trials
Breathlessness Exertion and Morphine Sulphate Study (BEAMS)
Investigators
The principal investigator is Professor David Currow.
The Chief Investigators for this study are Dr Magnus Ekstrom, Professor Miriam Johnson, Professor Christine McDonald, Professor John Miners, Professor Carl Kirkpatrick, Professor Andrew Somogyi, Professor Linda Denehy, Dr Nikki McCaffrey and Associate Professor Danny J. Eckert.
The Associate Investigators are Professor Lawrence Lam, Aine Greene, Belinda Fazekas, Dr Brian Le, Professor Katherine Clark, Professor Kwun Fong, Professor Meera Agar, Dr Rohit Joshi, Professor Sharon Kilbreath, Dr Diana Ferreira, Professor Angela Clow, Dr Nina Smith, Dr Richella Ryan and Dr Sara Booth.
Health condition
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, breathlessness
Full study title
A pragmatic, phase III, multi-site, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm, dose-increment, randomised trial of regular, low-dose extended-release morphine for chronic refractory breathlessness.
Trial ID
NCT02720822
Aim
To determine if small regular doses of morphine can enable better management of symptoms and activity in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Summary
Breathlessness is an overwhelming symptom affecting tens of thousand of Australians every day. For many people, it persists even when all the underlying causes have been optimally managed (chronic breathlessness). In these circumstance, it often occurs at rest or with minimal exertion.
Evidence from a number of clinical studies suggests that a small, regular dose of morphine helps to reduce safely the sensation of breathlessness. However, it is not well established which patients derive more benefits and what is the net clinical effect of this treatment (weighing benefits and harms).
Eligibility
Participants in this study were 18 years of age or older and have a diagnosis of COPD.
Participating sites
- Concord Hospital, Concord
- St Vincent's Hospital Sydney - Sacred Heart Hospice, Darlinghurst
- Calvary Health Care Kogarah, Kogarah
- Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool
- Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane
- Nambour Hospital, Sunshine Coast
- Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide
- St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne
- Barwon Health, Geelong
- The Austin Hospital, Heidelberg
- The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne
- Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth
- Clare Holland House, Calvary Public Hospital, Canberra
- Westmead Hospital, Westmead
Funding
This study was been funded with a grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
Management of constipation in palliative care
Investigators
The Principal Investigator for this study was Associate Professor Katherine Clark.
The investigation team included Professor David Currow, Professor Nicholas Talley, Dr Phillip Dinning, Professor Lawrence Lam, Professor Patricia Davidson, Professor Meera Agar, Professor Jane Phillips, Tania Shelby-James and Nikki McCaffrey.
Health condition
Constipation in palliative care
Full study title
Can less be better? Is it possible to improve constipation symptom control in palliative care patients when they underlying causes of bowel dysfunction are objectively assessed?
ANZCTR Trial ID
ACTRN12611000705987 (opens external site)
Summary
Constipation is a common, distressing and serious symptom, affecting 50 to 90% of people referred to specialist palliative care services, with 40 to 70% of failing to achieve adequate symptom control. The number of people failing to achieve satisfactory symptom relief is not acceptable as inadequate symptom relief is responsible for adding to individual and societal burdens.
In palliative care, decisions regarding the prescription of laxatives are based predominately on clinical experience and institutional approaches. Many of these do not consider the pathophysiological basis that underlies the symptom of constipation. This approach is dissimilar to that adapted by gastroenterologists in the treatment of non-palliative care patients. The most striking difference is the limited information to categorise the palliative population into the groupings that gastroenterologists would routinely use, thereby limiting the ability to tailor intervention to improve symptom control.
Aim
This study aimed to:
- develop an approach to constipation that enables the underlying problems (slow transit of colonic contents, delayed outlet of colonic contents or an overlap of these problems), to be quantified in palliative care patients using well-tolerated and validated diagnostic methods
- compare whether the constipation severity of those patients randomly allocated to a mechanistic approach to the assessment and treatment of constipation within different sub-categories have better patient outcomes than people palliated using standard current clinical care.
Participating sites
- Calvary Mater Newcastle, Waratah
- Braeside Hospital, Prairiewood
- Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich
- Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool
- Nepean Hospital, Kingswood
- Sacred Heart Hospice, Darlinghurst
- St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy
- Westmead Hospital, Westmead
Funding
- National Health and Medical Research Council
- Palliative Care Clinical Studies Collaborative
Morphine or Placebo (MOP)
Investigators
The Principal Investigator for this trial was Professor David Currow.
The investigation team included Professor Christine McDonald, Dr John Plummer, Associate Professor Amy Abernethy, Dr Hope Uronis, Professor Trish Davidson, Professor Peter Frith, Professor Meera Agar, Associate Professor Simon Eckermann, Dr Matt Doogue and Professor Katherine Clark.
Publications
Currow, D., Louw, S., McCloud, P., Gazekas, B., Plummer, J., McDonald, C.F., Agar, M., Clark, K., McCaffrey, N., Ekström, M. Regular, sustained-release morphine for chronic breathlessness: a multicentre, double-blind, randomsed, placebo-controlled trial. Thorax Published Online First: September 2019. doi: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2019-213681
Ferreira, D.H., Louw, S., McCloud, P., Fazekas, B., McDonald, C.F., Agar, M., Clark, K., McCaffrey, N., Ekström, M., Currow, D.C. Controlled-release oxycodone versus placebo in the treatment of chronic breathlessness - a multi-site randomised placebo controlled trial. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management Published online October 2019. doi: 10.1016/j.painsymman.2019.10.017
Health condition
Refractory breathlessness
Full study title
A randomised double-blind, multi-site, parallel arm controlled trial to assess relief of breathlessness comparing fixed doses of morphine and placebo in people with refractory breathlessness.
ANZCTR Trial ID
ACTRN12609000806268 (opens external site)
Aim
Primary objectives
To compare the efficacy of opioids (sustained release morphine) with placebo to compare the efficacy for relieving the sensation of breathlessness, level of function, safety and quality of life for participants with refractory breathlessness.
To identify clinical and pharmacogenomic parameters that predict who would achieve the greatest benefit from the intervention and establish a blinded participant preference.
Secondary objectives
To focus on the impact of the intervention on improving quality of life, adverse effects, function, use of breakthrough opioids and clinical predictors of benefit.
Summary
Breathlessness is a major clinical problem for many people with advanced progressive illnesses. These illnesses include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, end-stage cardiac failure and cancer.
Previous studies supported the use of morphine for chronic breathlessness. This phase III study was seeking to provide further data to determine that morphine was a well-tolerated and effective intervention for a broad range of people with refractory breathlessness.
This study sought to establish that the net benefit outweighed any toxicity encountered and ease the concerns of many clinicians that there was a risk that opioids may cause respiratory depression.
Participating sites
- Austin Health
- Barwon Health
- Braeside Hospital
- Calvary Health Care
- Calvary Mater Newcastle
- Concord Repatriation Hospital
- Concord Hospital
- Flinders Medical Centre
- Liverpool Hospital
- Lyell McEwin Hospital
- Nambour Hospital
- The Prince Charles Hospital
- Repatriation General Hospital
- The Royal Melbourne Hospital
- St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne
- St Vincent's Hospital Sydney
Funding
Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing
Pyridostigmine for constipation
Investigators
The Principal Investigator for this study was Professor Katherine Clark.
The investigation team included Professor David Currow, Professor Nicholas Talley, Ms Naomi Byfieldt, Professor Lawrence Lam, Ms Debra Rowett, Professor Meera Agar, Dr Steve Quinn, Ms Nikki McCaffrey, Ms Linda Brown and Ms Belinda Fazekas.
Health condition
Constipation, palliative care
Full study title
A pilot study to explore the safety of pyridostigmine in constipated palliative care patients.
ANZCTR Trial ID
ACTRN12614000540617 (opens external site)
Aim
The primary aims of this pilot study were to examine if it was safe to conduct a phase III study of pyridostigmine.
Summary
Constipation is a common, distressing and serious problem affecting 50-90% of people referred to specialist palliative care services. Approximately half of these people do not achieve adequate management of their constipation. The number of people who do not achieve satisfactory relief is not acceptable. The researchers conducting this study were looking to see if there were more effective ways to treat constipation.
Participating sites
- Braeside Hospital
- Calvary Mater Newcastle
- Liverpool Hospital
- St Vincent's Hospital Darlinghurst
Funding
- Calvary Mater Hospital
- Palliative Care Clinical Studies Collaborative (PaCCSC)
Outcomes
The study was closed after three years due to slow recruitment.
Risperidone and haloperidol in delirium
Investigators
The Principal Investigator for this study was Professor Meera Agar.
The investigation team included Associate Professor Brian Draper, Associate Professor Gideon Caplan, Dr Mark Hill, Ms Tania Shelby-James, Ms Debra Rowett, Professor David Currow, Associate Professor Peter Lawlor, Dr Chris Sanderson, Dr John Plummer, Associate Professor Simon Eckermann and Dr Steve Quinn.
Outcomes
PaCCSC is pleased to report that this is the first definitive trial of treatment for delirium symptoms. Our findings support the recommendations in the recently released Delirium Clinical Standards from the Australian Commission for Safety in Quality Health Care, and place even further caution on the use of antipsychotics for delirium therapy.
The findings of this study are important as they demonstrate that there is no safe or effective medication to treat delirium, and that off-label prescribing is not beneficial for patients, ultimately leading to inadequate symptom management. Moreover, the results of this study have confirmed the need to continue undertaking properly-designed, adequately-powered clinical trials in palliative care.
Publications
Agar, M., Lawlor, P.G., Quinn, S., Draper, B., Caplan, G.A., Rowett, D., Sanderson, C., Hardy, J., Le, B., Eckermann, S., McCaffrey, N., Devilee, L., Fazekas, B., Hill, M., Currow, D.C. Efficacy of Oral Risperidone, Haloperidol, or Placebo for Symptoms of Delirium Among Patients in Palliative Care: A Randmomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2017;177(1):34-42. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.7491
Health condition
Delirium
Full study title
Oral risperidone, oral haloperidol, and oral placebo in the management of delirium in palliative care.
ANZCTR Trial ID
ACTRN12607000562471 (opens external site)
Aim
To determine the efficacy of the medication to control delirium symptoms.
Summary
Delirium is prevalent in patients with advanced cancer and in the palliative care setting and is associated with significant and distressing symptomology and poor prognosis. Antipsychotics are considered by most clinicians as first line pharmacotherapeutic agents for delirium despite limited randomised double-blind controlled evidence for management of delirium in any health care setting, including palliative care.
The few studies that existed prior to this study explored post-treatment efficacy in relation to total delirium score reduction and did not guide management of target symptomology. There had been no systematic evaluation of toxicity profile in relation to delirium management with typical or atypical antipsychotics, in particular extrapyramidal toxicity and degree of sedation. There was a need for randomised control trial evidence of the efficacy of antipsychotics to control targeted delirium symptoms, and also to consider broader implications on caregiver and patient distress.
Participating sites
- Barwon Health, Geelong
- Braeside Hospital
- Calvary Health Care Kogarah
- Calvary Mater Newcastle
- Repatriation General Hospital
- Sacred Heart Hospice, St Vincent's Hospital
- The Royal Melbourne Hospital
Funding
- Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing
Sertraline for breathlessness
Investigators
The Principal Investigator for this study was Professor David Currow.
The investigation team included Dr John Plummer, Associate Professor Amy Abernethy, Professor Patricia Davidson, Professor Meera Agar, Professor Simon Eckermann, Dr Matt Doogue and Associate Professor Katherine Clark.
Outcomes
The primary results of this study demonstrated that breathlessness intensity lessened in both arms of the study with no difference between groups in the primary outcome.
Secondary outcomes who there was no difference observed between groups in the proportion of participants who had a more than 15% change from baseline in any measure of breathlessness.
There was no net benefit observed for sertraline on chronic breathlessness in participants who had undergone optimal treatment of the underlying causes in this trial.
The current findings do not support he use of sertraline for the symptomatic treatment for chronic breathlessness, nor did the study identify any sub-groups more likely to respond that could form the basis of further studies.
Publications
Currow, D.C., Ekström, M., Louw, S., Hill, J., Fazekas, B., Clark, K., Davidson, P.M., McDonald, C., Sajkov, D., McCaffrey, N., Doogue, M., Abernethy, A.P., Agar, M. (2018). Sertraline in symptomatic chronic breathlessness: a double blind, randomised trial. European Respiratory Journal 2019, 53(1); doi: 10.1183/13993003.01270-2018
Health condition
Chronic breathlessness
Full study title
Efficacy of sertraline for palliative management of refractory breathlessness
ANZCTR Trial ID
ACTRN12610000464066 (opens external site)
Aim
To test the efficacy of sertraline compared with placebo in relieving the sensation of intractable breathlessness. and to focus on the impact of the sertraline on improving quality of life (QOL), breathlessness-related anxiety and depression, adverse effects, function and clinical predictors of benefit.
Summary
Breathlessness is a major clinical problem for many people with advanced progressive illnesses. These illnesses include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, end-stage cardiac failure and cancer.
Although there are some interventions that may offer benefit (oxygen therapy, sustained-release low-dose morphine), there is still a need for a wider range of interventions to meet the needs of people with chronic breathlessness.
Sertraline is an antidepressant of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. It is primarily used to treat major depression as well as obsessive-compulsive, panic, and social anxiety disorders.
Previous research suggested that treatment of concomitant mood or anxiety symptoms could improve breathlessness. Further studies were needed to clarify potential benefits in the treatment of breathlessness.
The research team conducted a phase III pilot study that demonstrated acceptability and feasibility of this study. This phase III study was needed to determine that sertraline was a well-tolerated and effective intervention for a broad range of people with chronic breathlessness.
This study evaluated a new but theoretically useful therapy whose role needs to be carefully defined to determine if there is evidence of a net clinical benefit.
Participating sites
- Austin Hospital, Heidelberg
- Barwon Health, McKellar Centre Campus, North Geelong
- Braeside Hospital, Prairiewood
- Calvary Health Care Sydney LTD, Kogarah
- Calvary Mater Newcastle, Waratah
- Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park
- Flinders Private Hospital, Bedford Park
- Repatriation Hospital, Daw Park
- Sacred Heart Hospice, Darlinghurst
- The Prince Charles Hospital, Chermside
Funding
- Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing
- National Health and Medical Research Council
SKIPMDD study
Investigators
The Coordinating Principal Investigator is Dr Wei Lee.
The investigation team includes Dr Caitlin Sheehan, Dr Amy Chow, Associate Professor Richard Chye, Professor Colleen Loo, Professor Brian Draper, Professor Meera Agar and Professor David Currow.
Trial status
This clinical trial is open. More information is available from paccsc@uts.edu.au.
Health condition
Major depressive disorder in palliative care patients.
Full study title
Subcutaneous Ketamine Infusion in Palliative Care Patients with Advanced Life Limiting Illness for Major Depressive Disorder: A phase II feasibility study (SKIPMDD)
Trial ID
ACTRN12618001586202 (opens external site)
Aim
This study aims to find out whether it is possible to use ketamine for depression in those with advanced illness. It will look at how:
- many people with advanced illnesses are happy to receive ketamine
- easy it is to use the medication
- well people receive it
- useful it is to help with depression
- satisfied people are with using ketamine to help depression
- satisfied people are with the overall trial process
Summary
Depression (Major Depressive Disorder) is common in people with advanced illnesses. Usual medications for depression can take up to a few weeks to work. These medications might not work in time for palliative care patients with advanced illnesses. Something different is needed that will work quickly for depression in palliative care patients.
Ketamine is a familiar medication. It has been used in anaesthetics, pain and palliative care. At low doses, ketamine has been found to help otherwise well people with difficult-to-treat depression. It works quickly and effectively. However, it has not yet been tested in people with advanced illnesses.
Eligibility
You may be eligible to participate in this study if you are 18 years or older, in palliative care and have been identified as having a major depressive disorder.
Participating sites
- Braeside Hospital
- Liverpool Hospital
- St Vincent's Hospital Sydney
- Calvary Kogarah
Funding
Palliative Care Clinical Studies Collaborative