UK: Researchers have found in a new study that methylphenidate did not significantly reduce fatigue severity in patients with advanced cancer after 6 (± 2) weeks of treatment. This large-scale study involved 162 adults with advanced cancer and moderate-to-severe fatigue, recruited from 17 palliative care services across England between June 2018 and April 2023. Despite previous meta-analyses suggesting that methylphenidate may benefit cancer-related fatigue, this rigorous trial did not confirm a meaningful therapeutic effect. Given the findings, the authors concluded that methylphenidate should not be recommended for managing fatigue in patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative care. Reference:Stone P, Minton O, Richardson A, Buckle P, Enayat ZE, Marston L, Freemantle N. Methylphenidate versus placebo for fatigue in patients with advanced cancer: the MePFAC randomised controlled trial.