Middle East Journal of Cancer

The Impact of Glutamine Mouthwash on Preventing Mucositis Following Administration of High Doses of Methotrexate in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

Mohammad Naderisorki 1
Hossein Karami 2
Ebrahim Salehifar 2
Helieh Jafari 3

1 Thalassemia Research Center (TRC), Hemoglobinopathy Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran

2 Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran

3 Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30476/mejc.2024.100100.1971
Abstract
Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) represents the predominant childhood cancer. High-dose methotrexate is integral to leukemia treatment protocols. This study aimed to explore the efficacy of glutamine in preventing mucositis among leukemia patients undergoing high-dose methotrexate therapy.
Method: This randomized clinical trial encompassed 45 patients (22 in the glutamine group and 23 in the placebo group). The intervention group was administered a glutamine mouthwash, while the control group received an identical placebo. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 23, with a significance threshold set at P < 0.05.
Results: No significant difference emerged between the groups concerning the incidence of nausea and vomiting; however, both groups observed a notable reduction in nausea frequency from the first to the fourth days (P = 0.0001 and P = 0.040, respectively). Grades III and IV mucositis were absent in both groups on the third and seventh days post-treatment. Furthermore, no significant difference was detected in mucositis improvement between the groups (P = 0.848).
Conclusion: Glutamine mouthwash significantly reduced the incidence of nausea and vomiting, which are common chemotherapy complications. Moreover, up to 95% of patients were free from mucositis by the seventh-day post-chemotherapy.

Highlights

Mohammad Naderisorki (PubMed)

Keywords

Glutamine
Chemotherapy
Mucositis
Child
Subjects

How to cite this article:

Naderisorki M, Karami H, Salehifar E, Jafari H. The impact of glutamine mouthwash on preventing mucositis following administration of high doses of methotrexate in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A randomized clinical trial. Middle East J Cancer. 2024; 15(4):297-306. doi:10.30476/mejc.2024.100100.1971.

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