[The effect of L-Glutamine and Shakuyaku-Kanzo-to for paclitaxel-induced myalgia/arthralgia].

Abstract

Myalgia/arthralgia is a crucial side effect of paclitaxel, and may become the major dose-limiting side effect. However, this is a situation where there is little effective preventive treatment. L-Glutamine was reported as a neuroprotective agent for vincristine-induced neurotoxicity. In Japan, there have been reports on steroid and Shakuyaku-Kanzou-to (a herbal medicine) for paclitaxel-induced myalgia/arthralgia. This study aimed to compare the effect of L-Glutamine and Shakuyaku-Kanzou-to, and to discuss the validity of these agents for the paclitaxel-induced myalgia/arthralgia. Our results suggested that Shakuyaku-Kanzou-to showed no remarkable effects against paclitaxel-induced myalgia/arthralgia as had been reported before; however, both L-Glutamine and Shakuyaku-Kanzou-to decreased the duration of grade 2 toxicity (CALGB Expanded Common Toxicity Criteria) in comparison with those who were not treated. L-Glutamine and Shakuyaku-Kanzou-to might therefore a preventive effect against moderate or severer myalgia/arthralgia during paclitaxel-treated chemotherapy. Further trials are needed to confirm the value of these drugs.

• Authors: Kosei Hasegawa, Yasushi Mizutani, Hiroyuki Kuramoto, Shoji Nagao, Hisashi Masuyama, Atsuhi Hongo, Jyunichi Kodama, Mitsuo Yoshinouchi, Yuji Hiramatsu, Takafumi Kudo, Hiroyuki Okuda
• Journal: Gan to kagaku ryoho. Cancer & chemotherapy (Gan To Kagaku Ryoho) Vol. 29 Issue 4 Pg. 569-74 (Apr 2002) ISSN: 0385-0684 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 11977541 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
• Drug Combinations
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• shakuyaku-kanzoh-toh
• Glutamine
• Paclitaxel

Topics

• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic (adverse effects)
• Arthralgia (chemically induced, drug therapy)
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Drug Combinations
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Glutamine (therapeutic use)
• Glycyrrhiza
• Humans
• Muscle, Skeletal
• Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Paclitaxel (adverse effects)
• Paeonia
• Pain (chemically induced, drug therapy)
• Quality of Life