ZINC SUPPLEMENTATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ORAL MUCOSITIS IN HEAD AND NECK CANCER PATIENTS: NARRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

<h3>Objectives</h3> The aim of this study was to perform a narrative review about the influence of zinc supplementation in treatment and/or prevention of oral mucositis (OM), the most common side effect of anticancer therapies in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). <h3>Study Design</h3> A survey of studies related to the definition, treatment, and prevention of OM with nutrients, particularly zinc, was carried out between January 2018 and July 2019 using the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scielo databases. Inclusion criteria were human clinical trials and systematic and narrative reviews on nutritional supplements to treat and prevent OM in HNC. Exclusion criteria were animal studies and no association between nutrients and/or supplements to the treatment and/or prevention of OM. Sixty-one scientific papers published between 2004 and 2019 were selected. <h3>Results</h3> Zinc supplementation had positive effects on reducing manifestation and severity of OM due to its antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. In general, the zinc supplement was well tolerated and did not show significant side effects. However, the ideal dose and possible side effects of its use have not yet been defined. <h3>Conclusions</h3> This study suggests the effectiveness of zinc in preventing and treating OM. Further studies are needed to establish drug administration protocol and to evaluate the effects of its use.