Vitamin E in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced mucositis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of vitamin E in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced mucositis in patients with malignancy.


METHODS
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of topical vitamin E in the treatment of oral mucositis in patients receiving chemotherapy for various types of malignancy. A total of 18 patients, 17 of whom had solid tumors and one with acute leukemia, were included in this study. Lesions were observed daily prior to and 5 days after topical application of either vitamin E or placebo oil.


RESULTS
Six of nine patients receiving vitamin E had complete resolution of their oral lesions. In eight of nine patients who received placebo, complete resolution of their oral lesions was not observed. This difference is statistically significant (p = 0.025 by Fisher's exact test). No toxicity was observed in this study.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that vitamin E may be an effective therapy in patients with chemotherapy-induced mucositis.
Wadleigh
R G
RG
Division of Medical Oncology, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20422.
Redman
R S
RS
Graham
M L
ML
Krasnow
S H
SH
Anderson
A
A
Cohen
M H
MH
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014810:Vitamin E