Evaluation of efficacy of Caphosol in prevention and alleviation of acute side effects in patients treated with radiotherapy for head and neck cancers

Abstract

Aim of the studyOral mucositis is a common side effect of the oral mucosa due to anticancer therapy, especially for head and neck cancer. Caphosol is indicated for dryness of the mouth and oropharynx and treatment of mucositis due to irradiation or high-dose chemotherapy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of Caphosol in preventing and alleviating mucositis due to radiotherapy in the head and neck region.Material and methodsCaphosol was used from the beginning of the irradiation and for two weeks more after the treatment was completed. Mucositis, xerostomia, and dysphagia were scored by radiotherapists. Subjective evaluation was made by patients. Caphosol was assessed in a non-blinded, matched clinical study. Each treatment arm consisted of 50 patients. The groups were similar. The only difference in the management protocol between the treatment arms was the use of Caphosol in the experimental arm.ResultsA statistically significant difference in mean severity of early irradiation-induced side effects between the studied groups was observed with respect to: mucositis in the clinical target volume (CTV) area, mucositis in the increased dose (boost) area, dysphagia and xerostomia (p < 0.001 for all reactions). In the group of patients who used Caphosol, the mucositis was less intense, both in the CTV and in the boost area.ConclusionsThe use of Caphosol reduces the severity of acute mucositis, dysphagia and xerostomia, exerting a positive effect on comfort in the oral cavity in patients irradiated for head and neck tumors.

Systematic review of natural and miscellaneous agents for the management of oral mucositis in cancer patients and clinical practice guidelines—part 1: vitamins, minerals, and nutritional supplements

“…A search for recently published articles about SCPR identified a large RCT, which concluded that SCPR was ineffective in the management of OM in H&N cancer patients treated with RT/RT-CT [83]. A recent RCT in pediatric patients [84] and comparative studies about SCPR indicated conflicting results about the effectiveness in preventing OM [23,85].…”

Randomized controlled and double‐blinded study of Caphosol versus saline oral rinses in pediatric patients with cancer

“…were also reported in the adult population with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy. 20 A few randomized trials Note. Model was fitted using R-package nlme's lme( ) function.…”

“…Several clinical studies have shown positive effects of Caphosol in the frequency, intensity, and duration of overt OM in adult patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment and SCT 17‐19 . Favorable results were also reported in the adult population with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy 20 . A few randomized trials 13,21,22 have studied Caphosol in the context of mucositis prevention in adults and have reported no benefit.…”

Chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis management: A retrospective analysis of MuGard, Caphosol, and standard supportive care measures

“…In an additional study not included in this review, patients receiving radiation to the head and neck received prophylactic Caphosol. 7 Dosing was initiated four times daily and could be increased up to 10 times daily depending on symptoms. In this study, there was a statistically significant decrease in mucositis level, dysphagia, xerostomia, opioid analgesia requirements, and frequency of prolonged hospitalizations.…”