Radiodermatitis prevention with sucralfate in breast cancer: fundamental and clinical studies.
BACKGROUND
Acute radiodermatitis induced by radiotherapy may affect the quality of life and in some cases requires withholding treatment. The present study concerns the protective effect of a 1% sucralfate lotion. We propose joint fundamental and clinical points of view.


METHODS
The free radical scavenging capacity of sucralfate was measured with electron spin resonance and was supported by theoretical calculations. The clinical effects of sucralfate lotion were evaluated on 21 women treated for breast cancer. Breast skin response was evaluated at 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 Gy, according to (1) the radiation therapy oncology group (RTOG) acute toxicity scale and (2) spectrophotometry data obtained with X-Rite SP60.


CONCLUSIONS
Sucralfate appeared as a relatively poor free radical scavenger (compared to reference compounds such as vitamin E). The sucralfate-containing lotion used in the present study did not provide systematic radiodermatitis prevention. Spectrophotometric evaluation of the skin response to irradiation appeared to be a very effective and more sensitive technique than the RTOG scale. Its use should be recommended to study cutaneous radioprotective action.
Falkowski
Sabrina
S
Service de Radiothérapie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, 2 rue du Docteur Marcland, 87025, Limoges, France.
Trouillas
Patrick
P
Duroux
Jean-Luc
JL
Bonnetblanc
Jean-Marie
JM
Clavère
Pierre
P
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011855:Radiodermatitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013053:Spectrophotometry / Q000379:methods; D013392:Sucralfate / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology
D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D014810:Vitamin E; D013392:Sucralfate