Study of preventive effect of micronutrients on chemoradiation-induced mucositis

There is no established method to completely prevent oropharyngeal mucositis, an adverse event associated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for head and neck cancer. It is considered that active oxygen resulting from exposure to radiation and anticancer drug administration is related to the mechanism that causes mucositis; therefore, mucositis may be alleviated by inhibiting the generation of active oxygen. Antioxidative substances required for the degradation of active oxygen include microelements and vitamins. We examined whether mucositis could be alleviated by administering a micronutrient supplement drink containing microelements and vitamins to patients receiving CCRT. Of the patients with head and neck cancer who received 50 Gy or more radiotherapy to the radiation field including the oropharyngeal area in combination with chemotherapy in our department, we compared 21 patients receiving micronutrients and 21 patients not receiving them. As a result, the group receiving micronutrients showed significantly favorable results in the severity of mucositis, the possible period of oral intake, and the severity of pain, suggesting that micronutrients are effective in preventing mucositis associated with CCRT.