A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of l-glutamine for the severe oral mucositis induced by chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer.

6059 Background: The incidence ofseveremucositis is high among patients with head and neck cancer receiving chemoradiotherapy, resulting in significant pain and impairment of quality of life. This study aimed to investigate whether L-glutamine (glutamine) decreases the severity of oral mucositis (OM) including an area of the pharynx and larynx induced by chemoradiotherapy. Methods: This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial included 40 untreated patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx between May 2010 and August 2013. The inclusion criteria of this study were that patients must be more than 20 years old, suitable for chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin and docetaxel. The exclusion criteria were the presence of serious liver and/or renal dysfunction, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, and oral and/or throat soreness before study. Patients received 66 or 70 Gy of total radiation at the rate of 2 Gy per fraction daily and 5 fractions per week. Cispl...