RATIONALE: Buspirone may be effective in reducing dyspnea (shortness of breath) in patients with cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: Randomized clinical trial to study the effectiveness of buspirone in reducing shortness of breath in patients who are undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.

OBJECTIVES:

• Assess the degree to which buspirone can decrease the sensation of dyspnea in patients with malignant disease.
• Estimate the incidence of dyspnea in patients seen in community oncology practice settings.
• Investigate interrelationships of fatigue, depression, anxiety, and patient report of dyspnea.
• Assess the quality of life of patients treated with this drug.

OUTLINE: This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to participating center (CCOP site). Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms.

• Arm I: Beginning on day 7 of chemotherapy, patients receive oral buspirone once a day for 3 days and then twice daily for up to 28 days.
• Arm II: Patients receive oral placebo as in arm I. Dyspnea is assessed at baseline. Dyspnea, mood, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and quality of life are assessed within 5-7 days before chemotherapy and immediately following therapy.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 376 patients (188 per treatment arm) will be accrued for this study.

• Dyspnea
• Pulmonary Complications
• Unspecified Adult Solid Tumor, Protocol Specific

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Diagnosis of cancer

• Treatment includes the following scenarios:

  • May have had prior chemotherapy course(s)

  • Scheduled to receive at least 2 courses of chemotherapy

    • Courses may include multiple treatment days such as days 1-5 or day 1-day 8 regimens and may include oral regimens

• Dyspnea as a symptom within the past 5 days (defined by a score of at least grade 2 on the Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale)

  • All underlying causes of dyspnea have received medical treatment per best clinical judgement of treating physician

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

• 18 and over

Performance status

• ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy

• Not specified

Hematopoietic

• Not specifed

Hepatic

• Adequate hepatic function (determined by treating oncologist)

Renal

• Adequate renal function (determined by treating oncologist)

Cardiovascular

• Adequate cardiac function (determined by treating oncologist)

Other

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No history of mania or seizures
• No prior hospitalization for any psychiatric condition
• No prior hypersensitivity to buspirone
• Able to swallow medication

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

• Not specified

Chemotherapy

• See Disease Characteristics

Endocrine therapy

• Not specified

Radiotherapy

• Concurrent radiotherapy allowed

Surgery

• Not specified

Other

• At least 2 weeks since prior and no concurrent monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
• Concurrent narcotic medications allowed
• Concurrent benzodiazepine medications allowed
• Concurrent serotonin reuptake inhibitors allowed
• No concurrent alcohol