A Study of the Prophylactic Effect of the Oral Antifungal Agent Itraconazole against Oral Cavity Candidiasis in Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy for Oral Cavity Carcinoma

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the prophylactic effect of itraconazole (ITCZ) receiving 30Gy or more dosage of radiation for oral cavity carcinoma. Of the patients receiving itraconazole, 14.3% (1/7) developed candidiasis, while 60.0% (3/5) of the patients receiving placebo developed candidiasis. Efficacy, evaluated in 6 patients, wos found to be 85.7% (6/7) . From three weeks after administration of itraconazole, culture tests revealed no positive cases. One patient receiving itraconazole experienced side effects, such as rises in GOT and GPT. These results demonstrate that itraconazole is highly effective in preventing oral cavity candidiasis, which is often associated with radiation therapy, and it improves quality of life for patients undergoing radiation therapy.