OncologyA phase III study evaluating oral glutamine and transforming growth factor-beta 2 on chemotherapy-induced toxicity in patients with digestive neoplasm

BackgroundPatients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer are exposed to cachexia, which is highly correlated with chemotherapy-induced side effects. Research suggests that specific immunonutrients could prevent such toxicities.AimsThe primary objective of this phase III study was to evaluate the efficacy of glutamine and transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2) in the prevention of grade 3-4 non-hematological toxicities induced by chemotherapy in patients with GI cancer.Patients and methodsWe designed a double-blind, randomized, controlled and multicenter trial stratified according to center, type of chemotherapy, presence of cachexia, and age. Patients were randomized to receive either Clinutren Protect® (CP) or a control isocaloric diet (without TGF-β2 or glutamine).ResultsBetween November 2007 and October 2011, 210 patients were enrolled in the study, of which 201 were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. Grade 3-4 non-hematological toxicities were not significantly different between the CP and control groups when evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. Likewise, no difference was observed regarding grade 3-4 hematological toxicities or reasons for treatment interruption.ConclusionThis randomized study does not support the hypothesis that oral glutamine and TGF-β2 supplementation is effective to reduce grade 3 or 4 non-hematological toxicities induced by chemotherapy in patients with GI neoplasm.