title: Positive effects of oral β-glucan on mucositis and leukopenia in colorectal cancer patients receiving adjuvant FOLFOX-4 combination chemotherapy.
abstract: The present study aimed to determine the effect of oral β-glucan on mucositis and leukopenia in 62 consecutive patients with colorectal cancer treated with an adjuvant FOLFOX-4 regimen. The patients were retrospectively evaluated in 2 groups: one group received β-glucan and the other did not (control group). Leucocytes, neutrophils, and platelets were evaluated before and 1 week after chemotherapy and oral mucositis and diarrhea were noted. Leucocyte and neutrophil counts after chemotherapy in the β-glucan group were 7,300/mm3 and 3,800/mm3, respectively, and the reductions, as compared to baseline, were not significant (p=0.673 and 0.784). The median platelet count was 264,000/mm3 after chemotherapy in the β-glucan group and the reduction, as compared to baseline, was borderline significant (p=0.048). In the control group, reduction in leucocyte, neutrophil, and platelet counts was statistically significant. Oral mucositis and diarrhea were less common in the β-glucan group. We conclude that β-glucan can be used to reduce the adverse effects of chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Erciyes University Medical Faculty, Kayseri, Turkey E-mail : halitraca@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Halit
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Karaca
authors.forename: Oktay
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bozkurt
authors.forename: Ersin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ozaslan
authors.forename: Suleyman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baldane
authors.forename: Veli
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Berk
authors.forename: Mevlude
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Inanc
authors.forename: Ayse Ocak
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Duran
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dikilitas
authors.forename: Ozlem
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Er
authors.forename: Metin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ozkan
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000009:adverse effects; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052016:Mucositis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects; D010976:Platelet Count; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D047071:beta-Glucans; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil