Sucralfate prophylaxis of fluorouracil-induced stomatitis.
OBJECTIVE
Various attempts have been made to prevent 5-fluorouracil-induced stomatitis, with unsatisfactory results. Sucralfate is an aluminum hydroxide complex of sulfated sucrose commonly used in the treatment of gastroduodenal ulcers. We used the compound in a phase II study to reduce and minimize the stomatotoxicity of 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy administered in a multiple-day schedule.


METHODS
Fifty-two patients entered the study, and 129 cycles of chemotherapy were evaluated. Seven patients refused sucralfate rinses for taste intolerance.


RESULTS
A low level of stomatotoxicity was recorded: grade 2 stomatitis was observed after 14 cycles (10.8%) and grade 3 after 3 cycles (2.3%).


CONCLUSIONS
Sucralfate administration could have a role in the prevention of 5-fluorouracil-induced stomatitis.
Giorgi
F
F
Oncology Unit, Ospedale Madonna del Soccorso, San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy.
Bascioni
R
R
De Signoribus
G
G
Di Saverio
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013392:Sucralfate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D013392:Sucralfate; D005472:Fluorouracil