A randomized phase III prospective trial of bethanechol to prevent radiotherapy-induced salivary gland damage in patients with head and neck cancer.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to verify whether the use of bethanechol during radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC) prevents radiation-induced xerostomia and salivary flow reduction. Patients that would begin RT were randomly allocated into bethanechol (group 1) or artificial saliva (group 2). Whole resting saliva (WRS) and whole stimulated saliva (WSS) were collected from all the patients at the following four stages: baseline, during, immediately after, and at least two months after the end of RT. Xerostomia was assessed by a subjective visual analogue scale (VAS), and by asking patients whether they felt dry mouth. Forty-three patients were randomized into this trial. The use of bethanechol during RT for HNC cancer was associated with significantly higher WRS immediately after RT (p=0.03) in comparison to a similar cohort of patients who had not received bethanechol.

• Authors: Bruno Correia Jham, Inah Vanetti Teixeira, Clarissa Gonçalves Aboud, André Lopes Carvalho, Márcio de Matos Coelho, Addah Regina da Silva Freire
• Journal: Oral oncology (Oral Oncol) Vol. 43 Issue 2 Pg. 137-42 (Feb 2007) ISSN: 1368-8375 [Print] England
• PMID: 16798061 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Phase III, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Saliva, Artificial
• Bethanechol

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Bethanechol (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Head and Neck Neoplasms (pathology, radiotherapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Staging
• Radiation Injuries (etiology, prevention & control)
• Radiotherapy (adverse effects)
• Saliva, Artificial (therapeutic use)
• Salivary Glands (injuries, radiation effects)
• Salivation (drug effects, radiation effects)
• Treatment Outcome
• Xerostomia (etiology, prevention & control)