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A supplement may help breast cancer survivors shake off "chemo brain." A small phase 2 trial found that oxaloacetate — a naturally occurring metabolic compound — significantly improved cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) in early-stage breast cancer survivors after just 8 weeks. Participants also reported less fatigue and better physical functioning, with the supplement being generally well-tolerated.
A small but promising study suggests that a nutritional supplement called anhydrous enol-oxaloacetate (OAA) could help breast cancer survivors struggling with post-treatment cognitive difficulties, commonly known as "chemo brain." Published in JCO Oncology Advances, the phase 2 single-arm trial enrolled 18 early-stage breast cancer survivors with moderate-to-severe cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI). Participants took 500 mg of OAA twice daily for 8 weeks, and 16 completed the full course.
The results were notable: all 16 evaluable participants moved from the cognitively impaired range into the normative range by the end of treatment. Beyond cognition, participants also saw meaningful reductions in fatigue and improvements in physical functioning — a welcome finding given how intertwined these symptoms often are.
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Why it matters: There are currently very few pharmacologic options for managing CRCI, which affects a significant number of cancer survivors and can seriously impact quality of life. These findings have already prompted the FDA to approve a placebo-controlled phase 2 trial, marking an important next step toward validating OAA as a real treatment option.
