A randomised, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy of MF 5232 (Mucotrol), a concentrated oral gel wafer, in the treatment of oral mucositis.
OBJECTIVE
Oral mucositis is a major complication of cytotoxic chemotherapy and radiotherapy associated with significant morbidity, pain, odynophagia, dysgeusia and subsequent dehydration and malnutrition, and effective prophylaxis and/or treatment of this condition is essential. The currently available palliative treatment shows improvement only in patients with mild to moderate mucositis. The primary aim of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy of MF 5232 (Mucotrol), a concentrated oral polyherbal gel wafer formulation, with placebo in the management of chemoradiation-induced mucositis in cancer patients.


METHODS
In this randomised, double-blind, pilot study a total of 30 patients of either sex with chemoradiation-induced oral mucositis were randomised to receive MF 5232 (n = 15) or a matching placebo (n = 15) after food three times a day for 7-10 days. Patients were evaluated using validated and standardised scoring systems at baseline and after 7-10 days of treatment.


RESULTS
There were 11 evaluable patients in each treatment group. There was a significant reduction in mean mucositis scores with MF 5232 as follows: WHO (from 3.0 to 1.8), Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (gross score: from 2.8 to 1.8; functional score: from 2.9 to 1.0), and Objective Scoring System (ulceration score: from 7.4 to 4.4; erythema score: from 13.7 to 7.0). There were no significant changes in scores for placebo recipients. The treatments were well tolerated, with the exception of two patients in the treatment group who reported a burning sensation in the mouth after dissolving the wafer.


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot study provided positive evidence for the efficacy of MF 5232 therapy in chemoradiation-induced mucositis. This was probably a result of its local analgesic, antioxidant and immunomodulatory activity and wound-healing properties. Further in-depth analysis in a larger number of patients is required to confirm these positive results.
Naidu
M U R
MU
Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, India. cptnims@yahoo.com
Ramana
G Venkat
GV
Ratnam
S Venkat
SV
Sudhavani
T
T
Naidu
K Jaganath Rao
KJ
Roy
P
P
Suresh
P
P
Rani
P Usha
PU
Mohan
I Krishna
IK
D000284:Administration, Oral; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005782:Gels; D010936:Plant Extracts; D028321:Plant Preparations; C507310:mucotrol