Abstract
The present study aimed to determine the effect of oral β-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 β-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 β-glucan group were 7,300/mm3 and 3,800/mm3, respectively, and the reductions, as compared to baseline, were not significant (p=0.673 and 0.784). The median platelet count was 264,000/mm3 after chemotherapy in the β-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 β-glucan group. We conclude that β-glucan can be used to reduce the adverse effects of chemotherapy.
Highlights
The present study aimed to determine the effect of oral β-glucan on mucositis and leukopenia in 62 consecutive patients with colorectal cancer treated with an adjuvant FOLFOX-4 regimen
A significant proportion of cancer patients receive complementary medical/herbal therapy while undergoing conventional anti-cancer treatment (McEachrane-Gross et al, 2006; Inglin et al, 2008; Mueller et al, 2008; Yang et al, 2008; Supoken et al, 2009; Nazik et al, 2011). β-glucans (1,3-1,6 β-D-glucan) were recently reported to be one of the active ingredients responsible for the immunomodulation of many of the herbs used in such therapy (Ooi VE, 2000; Vannucci et al, 2013). β-glucans are complex polysaccharides in the cell walls of yeasts, fungi, and pathogenic bacteria. β-glucans have been shown to act on several immune receptors, including Dectin-1, complement receptor 3 (CR3), and toll-like receptor (TLR)-2/6, and stimulated the production of macrophages, neutrophils, monocytes, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells in in-vitro studies (Chan et al, 2009)
The present study aimed to examine the effect of oral β-glucan on mucositis and leukopenia in a group of colorectal cancer patients with a high risk for neutropenia and mucositis who received adjuvant FOLFOX-4 combination chemotherapy
Summary
A significant proportion of cancer patients receive complementary medical/herbal therapy while undergoing conventional anti-cancer treatment (McEachrane-Gross et al, 2006; Inglin et al, 2008; Mueller et al, 2008; Yang et al, 2008; Supoken et al, 2009; Nazik et al, 2011). β-glucans (1,3-1,6 β-D-glucan) were recently reported to be one of the active ingredients responsible for the immunomodulation of many of the herbs used in such therapy (Ooi VE, 2000; Vannucci et al, 2013). β-glucans are complex polysaccharides in the cell walls of yeasts, fungi, and pathogenic bacteria. β-glucans have been shown to act on several immune receptors, including Dectin-1, complement receptor 3 (CR3), and toll-like receptor (TLR)-2/6, and stimulated the production of macrophages, neutrophils, monocytes, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells in in-vitro studies (Chan et al, 2009). Β-glucans may have antibacterial, immunomodulator, and anticancer effects. The effects of β-glucans as chemo-immunotherapeutic agents in a number of solid cancers have been shown (Hazama, 2009; Akazawa et al, 2010; Harada et al, 2010; Nakagawa et al, 2010; Watanabe et al, 2013). There is a growing interest in the potential usefulness of β-glucans in limiting the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, because β-glucans can be used as a therapeutic agent, and as a prophylactic. The present study aimed to examine the effect of oral β-glucan on mucositis and leukopenia in a group of colorectal cancer patients with a high risk for neutropenia and mucositis who received adjuvant FOLFOX-4 (oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and folinic acid) combination chemotherapy
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
