Glutamine in the Prevention and Treatment of Mucositis in Adult Cancer Patients: a Systematic Review of Literature

Abstract

Introduction: Currently, several studies have evaluated the impact of the use of glutamine during anti-cancer treatment because its depletion over time may be related to the aggravation of oral mucositis and of the gastrointestinal tract. Objective: This study aimed to perform a systematic review on the knowledge available in the literature about the use of glutamine in the prevention and treatment of mucositis in patients undergoing radiotherapy and chemoterapy. Method: Human clinical trials published between 2004 and 2014 were selected in the databases indexed in PubMed / MEDLINE and LILACS, with the following keywords: glutamine and radiotherapy, glutamine and cancer and mucositis, glutamine and chemotherapy, glutamine and mucositis. After preliminary analysis, six articles were selected according to the established eligibility criteria. Results: Regarding the dose, chemical form, amino acid administration time and classification of mucositis, studies have been heterogeneous. Four of the six reviewed articles found benefits to its use. No study found deleterious effects, but there was no evaluation as to the survival and progression of the disease. Conclusion: The use of glutamine in cancer treatment may be a viable option, especially with respect to the prevention of more serious degrees of mucositis. More clinical trials in humans are needed for a safe dosage if use is established, as well as studies to assess the impact on treatment response and survival of individuals.