Positive Effects of Oral β-Glucan on Mucositis and Leukopenia in Colorectal Cancer Patients Receiving Adjuvant FOLFOX-4 Combination Chemotherapy

• Published in: Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP Vol. 15; no. 8; pp. 3641 - 3644
• Main Authors: Karaca, Halit, Bozkurt, Oktay, Ozaslan, Ersin, Baldane, Suleyman, Berk, Veli, Inanc, Mevlude, Duran, Ayse Ocak, Dikilitas, Mustafa, Er, Ozlem, Ozkan, Metin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: mucositis; colorectal cancer; {\beta}$-glucan; neutropenia; chemotherapy
• ISSN: 1513-7368; 2476-762X

The present study aimed to determine the effect of oral ${\beta}$-glucan on mucositis and leukopenia in 62 consecutive patients with colorectal cancer treated with an adjuvant FOLFOX-4 regimen. The patients were retrospectively evaluated in 2 groups: one group received ${\beta}$-glucan and the other did not (control group). Leucocytes, neutrophils, and platelets were evaluated before and 1 week after chemotherapy and oral mucositis and diarrhea were noted. Leucocyte and neutrophil counts after chemotherapy in the ${\beta}$-glucan group were $7,300/mm^3$ and $3,800/mm^3$, respectively, and the reductions, as compared to baseline, were not significant (p=0.673 and 0.784). The median platelet count was $264,000/mm^3$ after chemotherapy in the ${\beta}$-glucan group and the reduction, as compared to baseline, was borderline significant (p=0.048). In the control group, reduction in leucocyte, neutrophil, and platelet counts was statistically significant. Oral mucositis and diarrhea were less common in the ${\beta}$-glucan group. We conclude that ${\beta}$-glucan can be used to reduce the adverse effects of chemotherapy.