title: Oral glutamine is effective for preventing oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy in colorectal cancer patients.
abstract: Oxaliplatin is effective in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC) patients; however, severe neurotoxicity develops frequently. To assess the efficacy of oral glutamine for preventing neuropathy induced by oxaliplatin, a pilot study was performed. A total of 86 patients with MCRC treated at Taipei Veterans General Hospital were enrolled. Oxaliplatin (85 mg/m(2), days 1 and 15) plus weekly bolus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU; 500 mg/m(2)) and folinic acid (FA; 20 mg/m(2)) on days 1, 8, and 15 were given every 28 days as first-line treatment. Patients were randomized to receive (glutamine group; n = 42) or not receive (control group; n = 44) glutamine (15 g twice a day for seven consecutive days every 2 weeks starting on the day of oxaliplatin infusion). Efficacy of chemotherapy, neurological toxicity, and electrophysiological alterations were assessed. A lower percentage of grade 1-2 peripheral neuropathy was observed in the glutamine group (16.7% versus 38.6%) after two cycles of treatment, and a significantly lower incidence of grade 3-4 neuropathy was noted in the glutamine group after four cycles (4.8% versus 18.2%) and six cycles (11.9% versus 31.8%). By adding glutamine, interference with activities of daily living was lower (16.7% versus 40.9%), and need for oxaliplatin dose reduction was lower (7.1% versus 27.3%). There were no significant between-group differences in response to chemotherapy (52.4% versus 47.8%), electrophysiological abnormalities, grade 3-4 non-neurological toxicities (26.2% versus 22.8%), or survival. These data indi-cate that oral glutamine significantly reduces the incidence and severity of peripheral neuropathy of MCRC patients receiving oxaliplatin without affecting response to chemotherapy and survival.
authors.affiliation: National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Wei-Shu
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jen-Kou
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Tzu-Chen
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Wei-Shone
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jeng-Kae
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Huann-Sheng
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Tzeon-Jye
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Chiou
authors.forename: Jin-Hwang
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Chueh-Chuan
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.forename: Po-Min
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005973:Glutamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D005973:Glutamine; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil