Randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating oral glutamine on radiation-induced oral mucositis and dermatitis in head and neck cancer patients

Clinical and biochemical assessment of the effect of glutamine in management of radiation induced oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer: Randomized controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of oral glutamine suspension on salivary levels of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), a cytokine involved in inflammation and Tumor progression, and the severity of radiation-induced oral mucositis (RIOM) in head and neck cancer patients. This is the first study to investigate the impact of glutamine on TGF-β1 levels in head and neck cancer patients with radiation induced oral mucositis (RIOM).

METHODS

In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 50 HNC patients were enrolled and received either glutamine oral suspension or maltodextrin as a placebo from the baseline of RIOM to the end of radiotherapy. Salivary TGF-β1 levels were measured at baseline and after treatment. Also, RIOM was assessed using the World Health Organization (WHO) Oral Toxicity Scale, the Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale (OMAS), the Pain Visual Analog Scale (Pain-VAS), the incidence of opioid use, and body mass index (BMI).

RESULTS

Glutamine significantly reduced salivary TGF-β1 levels and improved RIOM symptoms, such as pain, opioid use, and weight loss. The reduction of TGF-β1 levels was associated with the improvement of RIOM severity.

CONCLUSION

Glutamine may modulate the inflammatory response and enhance wound healing in RIOM by decreasing salivary TGF-β1 levels. These findings support the use of glutamine as a potential intervention for RIOM and nutritional support for improving radiation sensitivity.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study was registered on clinicalTrials.gov with identifier no. NCT05856188.

Efficacy of nonpharmacological interventions for severe radiation-induced oral mucositis among head and neck cancer patients: A network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness of different nonpharmacological treatments for severe radiation-induced oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer.

BACKGROUND

Radiation-induced oral mucositis is highly prevalent in patients with head and neck cancer. Current medications for radiation-induced oral mucositis are limited in effectiveness and susceptible to side effects, and while there is an increasing adoption of nonpharmacological interventions, the optimal one remains unclear.

DESIGN

Systematic review and network meta-analysis based on the PRISMA-NMA guidelines.

METHODS

Six databases were searched. Two authors independently performed the literature screening, data extraction and methodological quality assessment of the included studies. Traditional pairwise meta-analysis was performed by R Studio. A network meta-analysis was then conducted to assess the effects of nonpharmacological interventions for severe radiation-induced oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer.

RESULTS

Fifty-two studies involving seven types of nonpharmacological interventions were enrolled. The network meta-analysis indicated that natural plant-based therapies might be the most effective, health education interventions might be the second most effective, and honey might be the third most effective interventions for reducing the incidence of severe radiation-induced oral mucositis. For reducing the incidence of severe oral mucositis-related pain, the pairwise meta-analysis showed that only natural plant-based therapies and health education interventions were effective.

CONCLUSIONS

Nonpharmacological interventions are effective in the management of severe radiation-induced oral mucositis among patients with head and neck cancer.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Nonpharmacological interventions are a category of safe and effective adjunctive therapies that should be encouraged in clinical practice.

TRIAL REGISTRATION DETAILS

CRD42023400745.

Comparison of the efficacy among different interventions for radiodermatitis: A Bayesian network meta‑analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Radiation dermatitis (RD) is a prevalent and difficult-to-manage consequence of radiation therapy (RT). A variety of interventions have been proven effective in preventing and treating RD. However, the optimal approach remains unclear. This network meta-analysis (NMA) conducted a comparison and ranking of the effectiveness and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) of the interventions currently utilized in RD.

METHODS

PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched to identify pertinent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focused on the prevention and treatment of RD. The primary outcome measures included the incidence of grade≥2 RD (i.e., percentage of moist desquamation) and RD score. The secondary outcome measures encompassed patients' subjective assessment scores of pains, itching and burning sensations.

RESULTS

Our meta-analysis encompassed 42 studies and 4884 participants. Regarding the primary outcomes, photobiomodulation treatment (PBMT) ranked first in surface under curve cumulative ranking area (SUCRA:0.92) for reducing the incidence of grade≥2 RD. It demonstrated a significant difference when compared to Trolamine (OR 0.18,95%CrI 0.09-0.33) and Xonrid® (OR 0.28,95%CrI 0.12-0.66). Mepitelfilm (SUCRA: 0.98) achieved the highest rank in reducing the RD score, demonstrating superiority over StrataXRT® (MD -0.89, 95% CrI -1.49, -0.29). Henna (SUCRA: 0.89) demonstrated the highest effectiveness in providing pain relief, with a significant difference compared to Hydrofilm (MD -0.44, 95% CrI -0.84, -0.04) and Mepitelfilm (MD -0.55, 95% CrI -0.91, -0.19). Hydrofilm (SUCRA: 0.84) exhibited the fewest itching sensations, demonstrating superiority over Mepitelfilm (MD -0.50, 95% CrI -0.84, -0.17). No statistically significant difference was observed among various interventions in the assessment of burning sensations.

CONCLUSION

PBMT and Mepitelfilm demonstrated better efficacy in reducing the incidence of grade≥2 RD and RD score, respectively. In terms of PROs, Henna and Hydrofilm had fewer complaints in pain and itching sensations, respectively. However, studies with larger sample size on different interventions are warranted in the future.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration number CRD42023428598.

Effectiveness of glutamine for the treatment of radiodermatitis in cancer patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

After receiving radiation therapy, 60%-95% of patients with cancer develop radiodermatitis, which causes pain, wound infection, and poor quality of life. Glutamine is a popular nutritional supplement for patients with cancer. Several studies examined the usefulness of glutamine for reducing radiodermatitis. However, there is still no consolidated evidence for clinical use.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL PLUS, and the China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database for the relevant literature published up to March 2023, without language restrictions. Two reviewers screened, filtered, and appraised these articles independently, and their data were pooled using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Five randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 218 participants were analyzed. The incidence of radiodermatitis in the glutamine group (89/110) was significantly lower than in the placebo group (99/108; risk ratio [RR], 0.90; 95% CI, 0.81-1.00; p = 0.05; I2 = 7%). The incidence of moderate to severe radiodermatitis was significantly lower in the glutamine group than in the placebo group (RR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.32-0.76; p = 0.001; I2 = 52%). Moreover, subgroup analysis demonstrated heterogeneity (I2 = 52%) for moderate to severe radiodermatitis, the risk of which might be significantly reduced by a glutamine dose of 20-30 g/day (RR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.41-0.87; I2 = 0%).

CONCLUSION

The meta-analysis indicate that glutamine might lead to a lower incidence of radiodermatitis, and that a glutamine dose of 20-30 g/day might decrease the incidence of moderate to severe dermatitis. Thus, the serious impact of radiodermatitis on treatment follow-up makes the clinical use of glutamine even more important. PROSPERO number: CRD42021254394.

Omega-3 nanoemulgel in prevention of radiation-induced oral mucositis and its associated effect on microbiome: a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Oral mucositis (OM) is recognized as one of the most frequent debilitating sequelae encountered by head and neck cancer (HNC) patients treated by radiotherapy. This results in severe mucosal tissue inflammation and oral ulcerations that interfere with patient's nutrition, quality of life (QoL) and survival. Omega-3 (ω-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have recently gained special interest in dealing with oral diseases owing to its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and wound healing properties. Thus, this study aims to assess topical Omega-3 nanoemulgel efficacy in prevention of radiation-induced oral mucositis and regulation of oral microbial dysbiosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-four head and neck cancer patients planned to receive radiotherapy were randomly allocated into two groups: Group I: conventional preventive treatment and Group II: topical Omega-3 nanoemulgel. Patients were evaluated at baseline, three and six weeks after treatment using the World Health Organization (WHO) grading system for oral mucositis severity, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for perceived pain severity, and MD-Anderson Symptom Inventory for Head and Neck cancer (MDASI-HN) for QoL. Oral swabs were collected to assess oral microbiome changes.

RESULTS

VAS scores and WHO mucositis grades were significantly lower after six weeks of treatment with topical Omega-3 nanoemulgel when compared to the conventional treatment. The total MDASI score was significantly higher in the control group after three weeks of treatment, and the head and neck subscale differed significantly at both three and six weeks. A significant reduction in Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was observed after six weeks in the test group indicating less microbial dysbiosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Topical Omega-3 nanoemulgel demonstrated a beneficial effect in prevention of radiation-induced oral mucositis with a possibility of regulating oral microbial dysbiosis.

Nutritional interventions for the prevention and treatment of cancer therapy-induced oral mucositis: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analysis

CONTEXT

To date, the efficacy of nutritional interventions on oral mucositis (OM) in patients with cancer, and the quality of this evidence have not been explored.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this umbrella review was to provide a comprehensive evaluation of nutritional interventions for patients with cancer with OM, as well as to assess the quality of this evidence.

DATA SOURCES

Meta-analyses were searched for using PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science databases until December 2021, with no time restrictions.

DATA EXTRACTION

Meta-analyses of randomized control trials that evaluated the effects of nutritional interventions on the incidence of OM in patients with cancer had inclusion criteria for this umbrella review. Data extraction, quality assessment of meta-analyses, and primary studies were done independently by 2 authors. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation technique was used to grade the certainty of evidence.

DATA ANALYSIS

A total of 26 meta-analyses were included in this umbrella review. The results showed that honey, glutamine, and propolis can reduce the incidence of severe OM, based on moderate evidence quality. In addition, zinc supplementation significantly reduced the incidence of OM, regardless of symptom severity; however, low certainty of the evidence was observed. The effects of vitamin E, curcumin, and probiotics on OM were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

This umbrella review shows that honey, glutamine, and propolis can significantly reduce the incidence of severe OM. These findings need to be confirmed with well-designed, longitudinal randomized controlled trials.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration no. CRD42022301010.

The effects of Ankaferd hemostat on preventing oral mucositis in colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy

INTRODUCTION

New agents are introduced each day to be used in the prevention and treatment of mucositis in cancer treatment. One of those agents is the Ankaferd hemostat. Ankaferd hemostat has pleiotropic effects and anti-infective characteristics in tissue healing.

METHODS

The study was designed as a randomized controlled experimental study. The sample of the study comprised a total of 66 patients (33 patients in the Ankaferd hemostat group and 33 patients in the sodium bicarbonate group) with colorectal cancer who received FOLFOX combination chemotherapy treatment in the first cycle of chemotherapy to prevent mucositis. Participants who met the criteria were randomly assigned to the groups. Before the patient received chemotherapy, ECOG performance score and Oral Mucositis Grading Scale were applied on the 7th day and 15th day. The Ankaferd hemostat group brushed teeth at least twice a day for 2 min and gargled with Ankaferd hemostat twice for 2 min for 2 weeks. The sodium bicarbonate group brushed teeth at least 2 min a day and gargled with sodium bicarbonate 4 times for 2 min for 2 weeks. The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials diagram was used to illustrate the randomization of patients.

RESULTS

When the Ankaferd hemostat group is compared with the sodium bicarbonate group, there is a significant difference in favor of the Ankaferd hemostat group in the mucositis grade on the 7th day and 15th day after chemotherapy (p < 0.05). In the binary logistic regression analysis, among the factors affecting the formation of mucositis on the 7th day, only neutrophil and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were included in the model, while only the TSH variable is statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

It was determined that Ankaferd hemostat is effective in preventing oral mucositis due to chemotherapy in adult patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer. In addition, it has been suggested to conduct new studies on the effectiveness of Ankaferd hemostat in the prevention of mucositis in different groups.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT05438771, Date: 25.06.2022).

Combination L-Glutamine with Gemcitabine and Nab-Paclitaxel in Treatment-Naïve Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: The Phase I GlutaPanc Study Protocol

Advanced pancreatic cancer is underscored by progressive therapeutic resistance and a dismal 5-year survival rate of 3%. Preclinical data demonstrated glutamine supplementation, not deprivation, elicited antitumor effects against pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) alone and in combination with gemcitabine in a dose-dependent manner. The GlutaPanc phase I trial is a single-arm, open-label clinical trial investigating the safety of combination L-glutamine, gemcitabine, and nab-paclitaxel in subjects (n = 16) with untreated, locally advanced unresectable or metastatic pancreatic cancer. Following a 7-day lead-in phase with L-glutamine, the dose-finding phase via Bayesian design begins with treatment cycles lasting 28 days until disease progression, intolerance, or withdrawal. The primary objective is to establish the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) of combination L-glutamine, gemcitabine, and nab-paclitaxel. Secondary objectives include safety of the combination across all dose levels and preliminary evidence of antitumor activity. Exploratory objectives include evaluating changes in plasma metabolites across multiple time points and changes in the stool microbiome pre and post L-glutamine supplementation. If this phase I clinical trial demonstrates the feasibility of L-glutamine in combination with nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine, we would advance the development of this combination as a first-line systemic option in subjects with metastatic pancreatic cancer, a high-risk subgroup desperately in need of additional therapies.

MASCC clinical practice guidelines for the prevention and management of acute radiation dermatitis: part 1) systematic review

Acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) commonly develops in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy and is often characterized by erythema, desquamation, and pain. A systematic review was conducted to summarize the current evidence on interventions for the prevention and management of ARD. Databases were searched from 1946 to September 2020 to identify all original studies that evaluated an intervention for the prevention or management of ARD, with an updated search conducted in January 2023. A total of 235 original studies were included in this review, including 149 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Most interventions could not be recommended due to a low quality of evidence, lack of supporting evidence, or conflicting findings across multiple trials. Photobiomodulation therapy, Mepitel® film, mometasone furoate, betamethasone, olive oil, and oral enzyme mixtures showed promising results across multiple RCTs. Recommendations could not be made solely based on the published evidence due to limited high-quality evidence. As such, Delphi consensus recommendations will be reported in a separate publication.

Effects of oral supplementation to manage radiation dermatitis in cancer patients: a systematic review

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of oral supplementation as a radioprotective intervention in the management of radiation dermatitis (RD).

METHODS

Systematic review and meta-analysis. Six databases and the gray literature were searched for randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs). Meta-analysis was performed only with studies that evaluated the same intervention. Methodology of included studies was evaluated by the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2.0), and the certainty of evidence was assessed by the GRADE instrument.

RESULTS

Seventeen RCTs were included in this review. These evaluated different types of oral supplementations. Findings from three meta-analyses demonstrated no significant benefits to the more severe grades of RD, as oral curcuminoids (RR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.27 to 1.29; P = 0.19; I² = 88%), glutamine (RR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.15 to 1.03; P = 0.06; I² = 78%) or Wobe-Mugos (RR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.29 to 1.14; P = 0.11; I² = 72%). Also, the certainty of the evidence of outcomes evaluated was moderate or low. Except for a few gastrointestinal adverse events, oral supplementation was well tolerated.

CONCLUSION

Most oral supplements cannot yet be recommended to manage RD due to insufficient or conflicting evidence. However, despite no significant results, glutamine was shown to be a promising substance in terms of the potential radioprotective effect and may be well tolerated. These results suggest that more RCTs with larger samples are needed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerance of glutamine in the management of RD.

Prevention of radiotherapy-related oral mucositis with zinc and polyherbal mouthwash: a double-blind, randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

A significant percentage of head and neck cancer (HNCs) patients receiving RT experience oral mucositis (OM). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the polyherbal (containing chamomile, peppermint oil, Aloe vera, and honey) and zinc mouthwashes in comparison to the control (chlorhexidine) and placebo groups for prevention of radiation-induced OM.

METHODS

This study was a double-blinded randomized clinical trial, conducted on 67 patients with HNCs undergoing radiotherapy. The eligible participants were randomized to receive either one of the following; zinc sulfate, polyherbal, chlorhexidine (Vi-one 0.2% CHX), or placebo mouthwash for 6 weeks. Follow-up evaluation of oral hygiene and the checklists of OM and the intensity of pain were filled out according to WHO assessment tool, Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale (OMAS), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) in all the participants weekly for seven consecutive weeks.

RESULTS

The results of present clinical trial demonstrated that the use of either zinc sulfate or polyherbal mouthwash significantly reduced the scores of OM and the severity of pain during weeks 2 to 7 after consumption compared with the CHX or placebo mouthwashes (P < 0.05). According to the post hoc analysis and compared with the placebo, a significantly better result was reported for zinc sulfate and polyherbal mouthwashes at weeks 2 to 7, but not for the CHX mouthwash.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that the use of zinc sulfate or polyherbal mouthwashes is effective in prevention of both OM severity scores and pain related to OM intensity at weeks 2 to 7 following consumption in HNCs patients. Trial registration IRCT20190123042475N1 and IRCT20190123042475N2. Registration date: 2019-06-09, 2019-07-26.

Effects of various treatments for preventing oral mucositis in cancer patients: A network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Oral mucositis (OM) is a common side effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in patients with cancers. The prevention or treatment of OM in cancer patients is crucial in the treatment of cancer.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for the randomized control trials (RCTs) of interventions for preventing and treating OM. Network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) from both direct and indirect evidence. The prespecified primary efficacy outcome was the treatment effect of moderate to severe oral mucositis with 12 interventions. The outcome was moderate to a severe grade of OM.

RESULTS

This study included 55 RCTs with 3,552 participants. The results showed that honey significantly lowered the risk of chemo/radiotherapy-induced moderate to severe oral mucositis than placebo (OR: 0.01, 95%CI 0.00 to 0.45), followed by lignocaine (OR: 0.07, 95%CI 0.00 to 0.95). The surface under cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) values for honey were 0.95, followed by lignocaine (SUCRA, 0.81) and benzydamine (SUCRA, 0.78).

CONCLUSIONS

The honey is effective for patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis.

Integrative Medicine for Pain Management in Oncology: Society for Integrative Oncology-ASCO Guideline

PURPOSE

The aim of this joint guideline is to provide evidence-based recommendations to practicing physicians and other health care providers on integrative approaches to managing pain in patients with cancer.

METHODS

The Society for Integrative Oncology and ASCO convened an expert panel of integrative oncology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, palliative oncology, social sciences, mind-body medicine, nursing, and patient advocacy representatives. The literature search included systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials published from 1990 through 2021. Outcomes of interest included pain intensity, symptom relief, and adverse events. Expert panel members used this evidence and informal consensus to develop evidence-based guideline recommendations.

RESULTS

The literature search identified 227 relevant studies to inform the evidence base for this guideline.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Among adult patients, acupuncture should be recommended for aromatase inhibitor-related joint pain. Acupuncture or reflexology or acupressure may be recommended for general cancer pain or musculoskeletal pain. Hypnosis may be recommended to patients who experience procedural pain. Massage may be recommended to patients experiencing pain during palliative or hospice care. These recommendations are based on an intermediate level of evidence, benefit outweighing risk, and with moderate strength of recommendation. The quality of evidence for other mind-body interventions or natural products for pain is either low or inconclusive. There is insufficient or inconclusive evidence to make recommendations for pediatric patients. More research is needed to better characterize the role of integrative medicine interventions in the care of patients with cancer.Additional information is available at https://integrativeonc.org/practice-guidelines/guidelines and www.asco.org/survivorship-guidelines.

Role of the microbiome in oral cancer occurrence, progression and therapy

The oral cavity, like other digestive or mucosal sites, contains a site-specific microbiome that plays a significant role in maintaining health and homeostasis. Strictly speaking, the gastrointestinal tract starts from the oral cavity, with special attention paid to the specific flora of the oral cavity. In healthy people, the microbiome of the oral microenvironment is governed by beneficial bacteria, that benefit the host by symbiosis. When a microecological imbalance occurs, changes in immune and metabolic signals affect the characteristics of cancer, as well as chronic inflammation, disruption of the epithelial barrier, changes in cell proliferation and cell apoptosis, genomic instability, angiogenesis, and epithelial barrier destruction and metabolic regulation. These pathophysiological changes could result in oral cancer. Rising evidence suggests that oral dysbacteriosis and particular microbes may play a positive role in the evolution, development, progression, and metastasis of oral cancer, for instance, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) through direct or indirect action.

Efficacy of GMI, a fungal immunomodulatory protein, for head and neck cancer patients with chemotherapy-related oral mucositis: An open-labeled prospective single-arm study

BACKGROUND

Cancer patients usually suffer from intensive chemotherapy-related oral mucositis (OM), yet limited effective treatment can rapidly alleviate OM severity.

METHODS

This prospective study examined the efficacy of Reishimmune-S containing one fungal immunomodulatory protein, GMI on OM in patients with head and neck cancer. Patients with head and neck cancer and the diagnosis of chemotherapy-related OM were enrolled randomizedly to receive standard supportive care with/without Reishimmune-S 500 mg/day orally for consecutive 14 days. Due to intolerance to standard supportive care alone in the control arm, only the experimental arm with Reishimmune-S supplementation was analyzed in our trial. OM grading was evaluated as the primary outcome on day 1, 8, and 15. Secondary outcomes were absolute neutrophil counts and quality of life assessed by the EORTC-QLQ-H&N 35 questionnaire on day 1, 8, and 15.

RESULTS

Reishimmune-S supplement significantly reduced OM grading both at day 8 and 15. Trouble with social contact and weight loss conditions were also improved by Reishimmune-S. Reishimmune-S did not significantly affect absolute neutrophil counts during the 15-day follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Reishimmune-S supplement potentially alleviates the severity of chemotherapy-mediated OM.

Effects of Immunonutrition in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Cancer Treatment – A Systematic Review

Background and Aims

Malnutrition is prevalent among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients and leads to undesirable outcomes such as reduced treatment response and increased treatment-related side effects. This systematic review summarizes the recent evidence regarding the effect of immunonutrition in HNC patients undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Methods

A literature search was conducted of the CENTRAL, ProQuest, MEDLINE, EBSCOhost, Web of Science and CINAHL databases; and further supplemented with internet and manual searches. Studies published between January 2011 and May 2021 were identified, screened, retrieved, and data extraction was performed.

Results

Twenty studies involving 1535 patients were included, 15 were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), three were retrospective study and two were comparative cohort studies. Five out of seven studies reported improvement or maintenance of nutrition status with continuous supplementation using immunonutrient-enriched formula. Three studies reported functional status as an outcome, with one study reporting significant improvement, one study reporting maintenance, and another study reporting no difference in the functional status of patients supplemented with immunonutrient-enriched formulas. Supplementation with glutamine did not reduce the overall incidence of mucositis but delayed the onset of oral mucositis and had significantly less incidence of severe oral mucositis.

Conclusion

Supplementation with immunonutrient-enriched formulas in HNC patients during radiotherapy and chemotherapy may improve or maintain nutrition status. Supplementation with glutamine during HNC radiotherapy and chemotherapy may delay the onset of oral mucositis and reduce incidences of severe oral mucositis. Further investigations are required, focusing on the timing, dosage, and duration of immunonutrition.

Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO, identifier CRD42021241817.

Use of oral glutamine in radiation-induced adverse effects in patients with thoracic and upper aerodigestive malignancies: Results of a prospective observational study

Cancer growth in host tissues features glutamine (gln) depletion over time, decreasing epithelial cells' optimal functioning. In addition, radiotherapy (RT) and/or chemotherapy (CT) cause damage to normal tissues, probably enhanced by this depletion. The present study prospectively examined the effect of gln supplementation on 72 patients with thoracic and upper aerodigestive malignancies (T&UAM) treated with sequential or concurrent RT-CT or RT alone. All patients received prophylactic gln powder 15 g bid for the full duration of treatment. The severity of acute radiation toxicities was graded according to the RT Oncology Group/European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer criteria. Primary endpoints were the incidence of grade >2 toxicities, weight loss and requirement for analgesics, and the secondary endpoint was the association of the length of irradiated esophagus from treatment planning with the use of opioids. The incidence of adverse effects was as follows: Grade >2 stomatitis, 25.0%; esophagitis, 60.5%; dysphagia, 54.2%; pain, 25.4%; mycosis, 40.8%. Stomatitis grade >2 was more frequent in patients with head and neck tumors (P<0.001) and in those with prior surgery (P<0.001). Esophagitis (P=0.020) and dysphagia (P=0.008) grade >2 were more frequent in patients with concurrent RT-CT. Regarding analgesics, 9.9% of patients received no pain treatment, 56.3% received simple analgesic therapy and 33.8% opioids. Patients on opioid therapy had a greater mean length of irradiated esophagus (P=0.024) or length >12 cm (P=0.018). In 54.2% of patients, weight loss was observed, particularly with concurrent RT-CT (P=0.007). Thus, the use of oral gln may have an important role in reducing acute radiation toxicities and weight loss, and in lowering the requirement for analgesics in patients with T&UAM. Further randomized trials are required to identify the appropriate gln dose, duration of treatment and precise radiation dosimetric parameters in this group of patients. The present clinical trial was retrospectively registered in the ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration and Results System (registration no. NCT05054517/22-09-2021).

A Narrative Review about Nutritional Management and Prevention of Oral Mucositis in Haematology and Oncology Cancer Patients Undergoing Antineoplastic Treatments

Cancer is a prevalent disease worldwide, and treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy sometimes lead to adverse events. Oral mucositis is one of the most disabling adverse events, and clinical guidelines do not take into account nutritional interventions. The primary endpoint was to gather the evidence about the efficacy of nutritional interventions in the prevention and/or treatment of antineoplastic-induced oral mucositis in oncological patients. A bibliographic review was carried out in the PubMed data base by combining MeSH terms with Boolean operators. Articles were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria; 50 final articles were found. Although further evidence is needed, glutamine, honey, and vitamins appear to be good therapeutic options. The rest of the compounds presented controversial or insufficient results, making it difficult to draw conclusions over their utilization as prevention or treatment options. Little evidence is reported about oral mucositis nutritional interventions in spite of them being attainable and affordable compounds. Scarce evidence is shown in paediatric patients compared with adults. Developing higher quality studies and combinations with the compounds researched is necessary for creating a stronger body of evidence.

Glutamine for prevention and alleviation of radiation-induced oral mucositis in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer: Systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated glutamine efficacy in preventing and alleviating radiation-induced oral mucositis (OM) among patients with head and neck (H&N) cancer. We screened five databases from inception till February 4, 2021 and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We included 11 RCTs, comprising 922 patients (458 and 464 patients were assigned to glutamine and control group, respectively). The incidence and onset of radiation-induced OM of any grade did not substantially differ between both groups. However, glutamine substantially reduced the severity of radiation-induced OM, as reflected by the reduced incidence of severe OM and reduced mean maximal OM grade score. Additionally, glutamine significantly decreased the rates of analgesic opioid use, nasogastric tube feeding, and therapy interruptions. Oral glutamine supplementation demonstrated various therapeutic benefits in preventing and ameliorating radiation-induced OM among patients with H&N cancer.

NO, way to go: critical amino acids to replenish nitric oxide production in treating mucositis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

There is still an unmet need for preventive and treatment strategies for chemotherapy-induced and radiotherapy-induced mucositis and its associated systemic inflammatory response (SIR) in cancer patients. Because of citrulline depletion due to cytotoxic therapy, nitric oxide (NO) production can be reduced, limiting its effect in many physiological processes. Restoring NO production could relieve mucositis severity by supporting host damage control mechanisms. Amino acids glutamine, arginine and citrulline are involved in NO production. This review including recent literature of preclinical and clinical studies will discuss the potential benefits of glutamine, arginine and citrulline on mucositis development with focus on NO production.

RECENT FINDINGS

Mucositis severity is more defined by host response to DNA damage than by DMA damage itself. Citrulline depletion because of afunctional enterocytes could be responsible for NO depletion during cytotoxic therapy. Restoring NO production during cytotoxic therapy could have a beneficial effect on mucositis development. Citrulline seems a more promising NO donor than glutamine or arginine during cytotoxic therapy, although clinical studies in mucositis patients are currently lacking.

SUMMARY

Glutamine, arginine and citrulline show in-vitro beneficial effects on inflammatory processes involved in mucositis. Translation to the clinic is difficult as demonstrated with use of glutamine and arginine. Citrulline, being the most potent NO donor with excellent oral bio-availability, is very promising as treatment choice for mucositis and its use deserves to be investigated in clinical trials with mucositis patients.

Narrative review of the management of oral mucositis during chemoradiation for head and neck cancer

Oral mucositis (OM) can be a significant problem for patients undergoing radiation or chemoradiation for head and neck cancer. In modern clinical trials, grade 3–4 OM can be seen in over 40% of patients and can cause a significant impact on their quality of life (QOL). Despite this fact, strategies for the prevention and treatment of OM vary widely, with options including both lifestyle modifications and pharmaceuticals. Here we evaluate and summarize the current clinical interventions for the management of radiation-induced OM. The majority of the current evidence focuses on reducing OM related pain. These agents are detailed over multiple clinical trials including treatment modalities such as: GC4419, doxepin mouthwash, diphenhydramine-lidocaine-antacid (DLA) mouthwash, gabapentin, and methadone. While several strategies have been employed to prevent radiation-induced OM, there is currently no strong evidence for the routine use of these agents in the clinic. After summarization of these treatments, we offer practical guidance for the treatment of OM in the clinic. We recommend a multiagent approach of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments including oral rinses, home humidification, escalating doses of gabapentin, doxepin or DLA mouthwash, over the counter analgesics, and lastly methadone. These interventions are tailored to address the expected increase of severity of symptoms during the course of head and neck radiotherapy.

A systematic review of interventions to mitigate radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Oral mucositis is a debilitating consequence of radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancers. Radiation-induced oral mucositis (RIOM) can cause pain and weight loss, reduce quality of life and affect treatment outcomes.

METHODS

A systematic review was undertaken to identify and examine the efficacy of low-cost interventions to mitigate RIOM and to develop clinical guidelines based on the evidence.

RESULTS

The author identified three interventions: benzydamine hydrochloride mouth rinse (BHM), honey and oral glutamine (OG). The search identified twenty-four studies in total. Four studies examined BHM; all findings were favourable, although only one had moderate methodological quality, and the rest were low. The product was poorly tolerated by some participants in one study. Twelve studies examined honey. Eleven of these had favourable results; two studies had moderate methodological quality, and the rest were low. Eight studies examined OG. Six of these had favourable results; two studies had moderate methodological quality, and the rest were low.

CONCLUSION

The author cannot recommend BHM to mitigate RIOM due to the overall low quality of the studies and poor tolerance to the product. The author cannot recommend honey to mitigate RIOM due to weak evidence supporting the intervention. The author can recommend OG to mitigate RIOM. There is a need for high-quality studies with a consensus of the methodology to reduce heterogeneity and examination of the cost-effectiveness of the interventions.

Status of Treatment and Prophylaxis for Radiation-Induced Oral Mucositis in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

Radiation-induced oral mucositis (RIOM) is one of the most frequent complications in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT). It is a type of mucosal injury associated with severe pain, dysphagia, and other symptoms, which leads to the interruption of RT and other treatments. Factors affecting RIOM include individual characteristics of HNC patients, concurrent chemoradiation therapy, and RT regimen, among others. The pathogenesis of RIOM is not yet fully understood; however, the release of inflammatory transmitters plays an important role in the occurrence and development of RIOM. The five biological stages, including initiation, primary damage response, signal amplification, ulceration, and healing, are widely used to describe the pathophysiology of RIOM. Moreover, RIOM has a dismal outcome with limited treatment options. This review will discuss the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical appearance, symptomatic treatments, and preventive measures related to this disease. We hope to provide a reference for the clinical treatment and prevention of RIOM in HNC patients after RT.

Role of Glutamine in the Management of Oral Mucositis in Patients with Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

As the effectiveness of glutamine supplementation for oral mucositis (OM) in patients with cancer remains controversial, a comprehensive summary and analysis of available evidence is necessary. The aim of the present meta-analysis was to evaluate the benefits of glutamine supplementation on OM and OM-related adverse reactions in patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy (CT) and/or radiotherapy (RT), using data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched for RCTs on the use of glutamine for treating OM, published until September 11, 2020. Risk ratios (RRs) or standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using RevMan 5.3. Fifteen studies with 988 participants were included. Glutamine did not reduce the incidence of OM (RR 0.94), but it reduced the severity of OM (SMD -0.73) and incidence of severe OM (RR 0.41). Additionally, glutamine reduced the incidence of opioid analgesic use (RR 0.84), feeding tube use (RR 0.46), hospitalization (RR 0.39), and treatment interruption (RR 0.49) caused by OM. Glutamine effectively improved OM and reduced OM-related adverse reactions in patients with cancer receiving CT and/or RT.

Immunonutrition in head and neck cancer: Systematic review and metanalysis of its clinical and nutritional effects

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

A systematic review was conducted to assess the effects of glutamine, arginine and omega-3 supplementation on the tolerance to treatment, nutritional status and immune function of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy.

METHODS

Randomized clinical trials were searched in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, LILACS, ClinicalTrials.gov, OpenGrey and Proquest. Tolerance to treatment, nutritional status, immune function and mortality rate were the primary outcomes investigated. Secondary outcomes comprised functional status, weight loss and body composition. Risk of bias of individual studies and the overall quality of the evidence were assessed using the Cochrane and the GRADE tools, respectively.

RESULTS

Nineteen articles met the inclusion criteria and nine were included in the meta-analyses, which assessed mucositis severity, weight loss and handgrip strength. Ten studies were evaluated as high risk of bias. Glutamine supplementation has significantly reduced the risk of grade 2-4 mucositis (RR: 0.76, IC95% [0.63; 0.92], P = 0.006, I² = 0%; P = 0.792; 4 studies). Omega-3 supplementation did not show statistically significant results on weight loss (SMD: -0.042, 95% CI [-0.322; 0.238], P = 0.769, I² = 33.4%; P = 0.212; 4 studies). The overall quality of the evidence ranged from low to very low.

CONCLUSIONS

These results must be interpreted with caution due to differences between supplementations regimen, lack of methodological rigor in most studies and due to the possible role of glutamine in tumor metabolism. Studies focused on elucidating the contribution of each immunonutrient to HNC patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy deserve further investigation.

Topical treatment of radiation-induced dermatitis: current issues and potential solutions

Approximately 95% of patients receiving radiotherapy (RT) will ultimately develop radiation-induced dermatitis (RID) during or after the course of treatment, with major consequences on quality of life and treatment outcomes. This paper reviews the pathophysiology of RID and currently used topical products for the prevention and treatment of RID. Although there is no consensus on the appropriate management, recent evidence suggests that the use of topical products supports to protect and promote tissue repair in patients with RID. Basic recommendations include advice to wear loose clothing, using electric razors if necessary, and avoiding cosmetic products, sun exposure or extreme temperatures. Based on mechanisms involved and on the clinical characteristics of oncological patients, the profile of the ideal topical product for addressing RID can be designed; it should have limited risk of adverse events, systemic adsorption and drug–drug interactions, should be characterized by multiple clinical activities, with a special focus on localized pain, and should have a careful formulation as some vehicles can block the RT beam.

Oral Glutamine May Have No Clinical Benefits to Prevent Radiation-Induced Oral Mucositis in Adult Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objectives: The role of oral glutamine for the management of oral mucositis (OM) has not yet been confirmed. The objective of the present study is to further investigate whether oral glutamine is effective in preventing and treating OM among patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) receiving radiotherapy alone or concurrent with chemotherapy.

Methods: A systematic search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, EBSCO, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) to capture all potential citations from the inception to June 2019. Then data extraction and assessment of risk of bias were carried out after selecting the eligible citations. RevMan 5.3 software was used to perform all statistical analyses.

Results: Six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including 441 patients were included in the final analysis. The meta-analysis showed that oral glutamine couldn't significantly decrease the incidence of OM (risk ratio [RR] = 0.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.94−1.02) and alleviate the development of moderate or severe grade of OM (Moderate-to-severe OM: RR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.59−1.12; Severe OM: RR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.13−1.52). But oral glutamine may have the potential to reduce the opioid use (RR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.71−0.99). The role of oral glutamine in delaying the onset of OM remains uncertain due to conflicting results between quantitative (mean difference [MD] = 4.11 days, 95% CI = 3.49−4.73) and qualitative results.

Conclusions: Oral glutamine may have no clinical benefits to prevent or reduce the incidence and severity of radiation-induced OM in patients with HNC receiving radiotherapy alone or concurrent with chemotherapy. It is also uncertain whether oral glutamine can delay the onset of OM. But it may have the potential to relieve the degree of oral pain. Nevertheless, we must cautiously interpret the results because the observed effect size for delay in mucositis start or reduction in opioid use is marginal. Moreover, further RCTs with more rigorous methodology and large-scale are required to enhance the quality of evidence.

Effects of Immunonutrition on Chemoradiotherapy Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a systematic review to assess the effects of immunonutrition on chemoradiotherapy patients.

METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and the Web of Science. We assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Our primary outcomes were the incidence of oral mucositis and diarrhea. The secondary outcomes were the incidence of esophagitis, grade ≥3 oral mucositis, grade ≥3 diarrhea, grade ≥3 esophagitis, and body weight loss.

RESULTS

A total of 1478 patients and 27 studies were included. There were no significant differences in the incidence of oral mucositis (relative risk [RR] = 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79-1.05), diarrhea (RR = 0.89; 95% CI, 0.76-1.05), or esophagitis (RR = 0.55; 95% CI, 0.11-2.86) between the immunonutrition group and standard nutrition/placebo group. Nevertheless, immunonutrition significantly reduced the incidence of grade ≥3 oral mucositis (RR = 0.45; 95% CI, 0.22-0.92), grade ≥3 diarrhea (RR = 0.56; 95% CI, 0.35-0.88), grade ≥3 esophagitis (RR = 0.15; 95% CI, 0.04-0.54), and losing >5% body weight (RR = 0.34; 95% CI, 0.18-0.64).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, immunonutrition failed to reduce the incidence rates of oral mucositis, diarrhea, or esophagitis but was conducive to significantly improving the severity of oral mucositis and diarrhea esophagitis and reducing the rate of body weight loss.

Cutaneous radiation damage: updating a clinically challenging concern

Cutaneous radiation damage, commonly referred to as radiation dermatitis, is a finding of considerable concern. The exposure is often from radiation therapy, a double-edged sword, removing malignant cancer cells and improving the lives of countless patients, yet being locally destructive and potentially premalignant. Among its negative consequences and complications, radiation dermatitis, a potentially severe skin reaction that occurs after the receipt of radiation therapy, presents a clinical challenge today. There are two types of cutaneous radiation dermatitis: acute and chronic. Acute radiation dermatitis manifests within 90 days after the induction of radiation therapy while chronic radiation dermatitis develops beyond 90 days of radiation. There are many risk factors associated with radiation dermatitis which can be characterized as intrinsic, extrinsic, or both. Intrinsic risk factors include concurrent chemotherapy and targeted therapy, connective tissue and skin disorders, genetic and personal factors such as age, sex, smoking habits, and nutritional status. Extrinsic factors are mainly related to the type and dose of the radiation received. Treatment options have been enhanced in the last decade, providing patients with better outcomes and improved quality of life. Such treatments include topical ointments and therapies, oral enzymes, wound dressings and surgical treatments. This article aims to review the current medical understanding of radiation dermatitis, its risk factors, pathophysiology, and treatment options.