A supersaturated calcium phosphate solution seems to effectively prevent and treat oral mucositis in haematopoietic stem cell transplanted cancer patients - single centre experience.

PURPOSE: Oral mucositis (OM) is one of the most frequent and bothersome complications of high-dose chemotherapy with subsequent auto- and allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We have assessed the effectiveness of supersaturated calcium phosphate rinse (Caphosol ®) and palifermin (Kepivance®) in the prophylaxis of OM caused by HSCT.

METHODS

Caphosol® and Kepivance® were prospectively evaluated in OM prophylaxis in 64 patients after HSCT and compared against themselves and an historical control group.

RESULTS

Grade 3 and 4 OM was not observed in patients treated with Caphosol® and palifermin. None of those patients needed total parenteral nutrition (TPN), too. In the Caphosol® group 40.9% of the patients did not develop OM, and 70% of patients treated with palifermin were free of any kind of OM symptoms. In the control group OM was observed in all cases.

CONCLUSION

Caphosol® seems to decrease the incidence, severity and duration of OM, the demand for opioids and for TPN. It needs to be tested in randomized trials, because its easy administration and cost-effectiveness may render it a valuable addition to the standard care in the treatment of OM.