Use of ketamine for depression and suicidality in cancer and terminal patients: Review of current data
Aderonke Oyetunji, C. Blanco Huelga, Kailee Bunte, Rachel Tao, Val Bellman
AIMS Public Health January 1, 2023 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.3934/publichealth.2023043 via OpenAlex
Summary
Ketamine is being explored as a treatment for depression and suicidality in cancer patients, especially those in advanced stages or nearing the end of life, where traditional antidepressants often fall short. This review analyzes existing clinical trials and case studies on ketamine's efficacy and safety, noting its potential use alone or with other treatments. However, it emphasizes the necessity for larger, well-controlled studies to better understand ketamine's long-term effects and optimal usage in palliative care.
Study at a glance
| Design | review |
|---|---|
| Population | cancer patients with depression and suicidality |
| Key finding | Ketamine shows promise as a treatment for depression and suicidality in cancer patients, but more rigorous studies are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety. |
Abstract
Depression and suicidality are significant challenges faced by cancer patients, particularly those in advanced stages of the disease or nearing the end of life. Conventional antidepressant therapies often have limited effectiveness or delayed onset of action, making the exploration of alternative treatments crucial. The use of ketamine as a potential treatment for depression and suicidality in cancer and terminal patients has gained considerable attention in recent years. This review article aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the current data regarding the efficacy and safety of ketamine in this specific population. This review presents an overview of clinical trials and case studies investigating the use of ketamine in this population. It explores the effectiveness of ketamine as a standalone treatment or in combination with other interventions. Furthermore, the article addresses the limitations and future directions of research in this field. It highlights the need for larger, well-controlled studies with long-term follow-up to establish the efficacy, safety and optimal treatment parameters of ketamine for depression and suicidality in palliative care.