Sucralfate prophylaxis of fluorouracil-induced stomatitis.

AIMS AND

BACKGROUND

Various attempts have been made to prevent 5-fluorouracil-induced stomatitis, with unsatisfactory results. Sucralfate is an aluminum hydroxide complex of sulfated sucrose commonly used in the treatment of gastroduodenal ulcers. We used the compound in a phase II study to reduce and minimize the stomatotoxicity of 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy administered in a multiple-day schedule.

METHODS

Fifty-two patients entered the study, and 129 cycles of chemotherapy were evaluated. Seven patients refused sucralfate rinses for taste intolerance.

RESULTS

A low level of stomatotoxicity was recorded: grade 2 stomatitis was observed after 14 cycles (10.8%) and grade 3 after 3 cycles (2.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

Sucralfate administration could have a role in the prevention of 5-fluorouracil-induced stomatitis.