Using a probiotic to reduce 5-FU related diarrhea
Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a drug that’s been used to treat cancer for about 40 years.
Researchers from Helsinki University Central Hospital in Finland tested the value of a probiotic (Lactobacillus) and fiber supplementation on 5-FU side effects.
First, the details.
- 150 patients with colorectal cancer were randomly assigned to 2 different treatments using 5-FU and leucovorin injections (a commonly used combination of drugs) for 24 weeks.
- The treatments are known as the “simplified de Gramont regimen” and the “Mayo regimen.”
- They were also randomly assigned to Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG supplementation or fiber during chemotherapy.
And, the results.
- Patients who received Lactobacillus had significantly less severe diarrhea.
- They also reported less abdominal discomfort, needed less hospital care, and had fewer chemotherapy dose reductions.
- No Lactobacillus-related toxicity was detected.
- Fiber supplementation had no influence on chemotherapy tolerability.
The bottom line?
The authors concluded that the probiotic treatment, Lactobacillus, “may be a practical and well-tolerated means to reduce the severity of 5-FU-based chemotherapy-induced diarrhea.”
Way to go!
11/18/07 11:47 JR
