title: Proton Pump Inhibitors in cancer patients: How useful they are? A review of the most common indications for their use.
abstract: Proton-Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly prescribed in the general population and in cancer patients. A supposed role in the prevention of gastric mucosal damage apparently justify their use in patients undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy, steroids and radiotherapy on the gastro-duodenal region. They are frequently given also to patients admitted to Intensive Care Units, for the prevention of stress-related gastric ulcers. The evidence about these use of gastroprotection is reviewed. In the majority of the cases the prescription of PPIs is not justified. In two circumstances (chemotherapy and stress-related gastric disease) randomized studies have shown a protective action of PPIs although this effect did not translate into the reduction of serious clinical consequences. PPIs are not free of toxic effects that are acknowledged by an expanding literature. Also the interaction with anticancer drugs is a potential source of unwanted consequences.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera SS, Antonio e Biagio e C. Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy. Electronic address: gianmauro.numico@ospedale.al.it.
authors.forename: Gianmauro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Numico
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera SS, Antonio e Biagio e C. Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy.
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fusco
authors.affiliation: Radiotherapy Unit, Università degli Studi di Torino, Città della Salute e della Scienza, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Pierfrancesco
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera SS, Antonio e Biagio e C. Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy; Radiotherapy Unit, Università degli Studi di Torino, Città della Salute e della Scienza, Torino, Italy; Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Santa Maria, Terni, Italy.
authors.forename: Fausto
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Roila
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors
keywords: Cancer; Chemotherapy; Drug interactions; Proton-Pump Inhibitors; Steroids