ESMO: Combination therapy reduced agitated delirium in patients with advanced cancers

Treatment with a combination of haloperidol and lorazepam reduced symptoms of agitated delirium, a common end-of-life condition for patients with advanced cancers, compared with haloperidol alone, according to a new study led by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The findings were presented today at the 2024 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress.

Agitated delirium occurs when a patient’s brain function begins to deteriorate as their cancer advances, resulting in many patients beginning to behave aggressively or abnormally. Although the use of medication in this setting has been debated, these results suggest tailored combination treatments can significantly improve symptoms for patients at the end of life.

“Advanced delirium is common and highly distressing in many patients with advanced cancers receiving palliative care, but we’ve had limited evidence on the use and effectiveness of treatment for this condition,” said lead investigator David Hui, M.D., professor of Palliative, Rehabilitation & Integrative Medicine. “The RECORD trial offers valuable data and insights that support the use of therapy in the palliative care setting in order to provide patients with greater comfort.”