Effects of topical oral G-CSF on chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in cancer patients

—Preliminary study—

Abstract

Oral mucositis is a dose-limiting toxicity in cancer chemotherapy. However, at present, no effective prophylaxis or treatment for oral mucositis has been established in Japan. In USA and Europe, incidents of chemotherapy-induced mucositis have been treated by topical oral G-CSF (Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor). We report that we have produced a topical oral G-CSF mouth rinse for use in the treatment of oral mucositis in Japanese cancer patients. The subjects were 6 patients with solid tumors, including oral cancer and leukemia, who had developed chemotherapy-induced mucositis. G-CSF (filgrastim) was administered as a mouth rinse (carboxymethylcellulose 2%) at a dose of 4 × 75μg/day for 5 days in relation to severe mucositis (NCI-CTCAEv3.0 grade 3 or 4).
Result: Severe mucositis was reduced significantly and both eating difficulties and oral pain were improved. In conclusion, a topical oral G-CSF mouth rinse may be beneficial in reducing oral mucositis and improving the quality of life.