Chemotherapy Also indexed as: Aldesleukin, Altretamine, Asparaginase, Bicalutamide, Bleomycin, Busulfan, Cancer Chemotherapy, Capecitabine, Carboplatin, Carmustine, Chemotherapy Drugs, Chlorambucil, Cladribine, Cytarabine, Dactinomycin, Daunorubicin, Diethylstilbestrol, Diethylstilbestrol, Diethylstilbestrol, Doxorubicin, Estramustine, Etoposide, Floxuridine, Fludarabine, Flutamide, Goserelin, Hydroxyurea, Idarubicin, Ifosfamide, Irinotecan, Leuprolide, Levamisole, Lomustine, Mechlorethamine, Megestrol, Melphalan, Mercaptopurine, Mitomycin, Mitotane, Mitoxantrone, Nilutamide, Pentostatin, Pipobroman, Plicamycin, Procarbazine, Stilphostrol, Streptozocin, Tabloid, Teniposde, Teslac, Testolactone, Thioguanine, Thiotepa, Toremifene, Uracil Mustard, Vercyte, Vinblastine, Vincristine
Chemotherapy typically involves the use of several antineoplastic (anticancer) drugs to treat cancer, though some people are treated with single medications. While the drugs in this family are toxic to cancer cells, many are also toxic to healthy cells, which gives rise to numerous side effects. A few drugs used in chemotherapy enhance immune function, while some alter hormonal activity. One anticancer drug, methotrexate, is also used to treat severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis. For interactions involving specific anticancer drugs, refer to the highlighted medications listed below.
Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
In some cases, an herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized interactions.
 May Be Beneficial: Depletion or interference—The medication may deplete or interfere with the absorption or function of the nutrient. Taking these nutrients may help replenish them. | Multiple nutrients (malabsorption) Taurine |
| May Be Beneficial: Side effect reduction/prevention—Taking these supplements may help reduce the likelihood and/or severity of a potential side effect caused by the medication. | Beta-carotene (mouth sores)* Chamomile (mouth sores) Eleuthero (see text) Ginger (nausea) Glutamine (mouth sores) L-carnitine* Melatonin (see text) N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) Spleen peptide extract (see text) Thymus peptides (see text) Vitamin E, topical (mouth sores) Wheat grass Zinc (taste alterations) |
| May Be Beneficial: Supportive interaction—Taking these supplements may support or otherwise help your medication work better. | Antioxidants* Melatonin Milk thistle PSK |
 Avoid: Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability—Avoid these supplements when taking this medication since the supplement may decrease the absorption and/or activity of the medication in the body. | St. John's wort |
| Avoid: Adverse interaction—Avoid these supplements when taking this medication because taking them together may cause undesirable or dangerous results. | See Methotrexate (Folic acid) |
 Check: Other—Before taking any of these supplements or eating any of these foods with your medication, read this article in full for details. | Echinacea Multivitamin-mineral Vitamin A Vitamin C |
| >Interactions common to many, if not all, Chemotherapy drugs are described in this article. Interactions reported for only one or several drugs in this class may not be listed in this article. Some drugs listed in this article are linked to articles specific to that respective drug; please refer to those individual drug articles. The information in this article may not necessarily apply to drugs in this class for which no separate article exists. If you are taking a Chemotherapy drug for which no separate article exists, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. |
An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
Alkylating agents
- Busulfan (Myleran)
- Carboplatin (Paraplatin for Injection)
- Carmustine (BiCNU for Injection)
- Chlorambucil (Leukeran)
- Cisplatin (Platinol, Platinol-AQ Injection)
- Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar)
- Ifosfamide (Ifex for Injection)
- Lomustine (CeeNu)
- Mechlorethamine (Mustargen for Injection)
- Melphalan (Alkeran)
- Pipobroman (Vercyte)
- Polifeprosan 20 with Carmustine (Gliadel Wafer)
- Streptozocin (Zanosar for Injection)
- Thiotepa (Thioplex for Injection)
- Uracil Mustard
Antineoplastic antibiotics
- Bleomycin (Blenoxane)
- Dactinomycin (Cosmegen for Injection)
- Daunorubicin (Cerubidine for Injection, DaunoXome Injection)
- Doxorubicin (Adriamycin Injection, Rubex for Injection, Doxil Injection)
- Idarubicin (Idamycin)
- Mitomycin (Mutamycin for Injection)
- Mitoxantrone (Novantrone Injection)
- Pentostatin (Nipent)
- Plicamycin (Mithracin)
Antimetabolites
- Capecitabine (Xeloda)
- Cladribine (Leustatin Injection)
- Cytarabine (Cytosar-U for Injection, Tarabine PFS Injection, DepoCyt Injection)
- Floxuridine (FUDR for Injection)
- Fludarabine (Fludara for Injection)
- Fluorouracil (Adrucil for Injection, Efudex, Fluoroplex)
- Mercaptopurine (Purinethol)
- Methotrexate (Folex for Injection, Rheumatrex)
- Thioguanine (Tabloid)
Hormonal agonists/antagonists
- Anastrozole (Arimidex)
- Bicalutamide (Casodex)
- Diethylstilbestrol (Stilphostrol)
- Estramustine (Emcyt)
- Flutamide (Eulexin)
- Goserelin (Zoladex)
- Leuprolide (Lupron Injection)
- Megestrol (Megace)
- Nilutamide (Nilandron)
- Tamoxifen (Nolvadex)
- Testolactone (Teslac)
- Toremifene (Fareston)
Mitotic inhibitors
- Etoposide (VePesid)
- Teniposde (Vumon Injection)
- Vinblastine (Alkaban-AQ Injection,Velban for Injection, Velsar for Injection)
- Vincristine (Oncovin Injection, Vincasar PFS Injection)
Immunomodulators
- Aldesleukin (Proleukin for Injection)
- Levamisole (Ergamisol)
Miscellaneous Antineoplastics
- Altretamine (Hexalen)
- Asparaginase (Elspar)
- Docetaxel (Taxotere for Injection)
- Hydroxyurea (Hydrea)
- Interferon alpha (Roferon-A Injection, Intron A for Injection, Alferon N Injection)
- Irinotecan
- Mitotane (Lysodren)
- Paclitaxel (Paxene, Taxol)
- Procarbazine (Matulane)
Interactions with Dietary Supplements
Antioxidants
Chemotherapy can injure cancer cells by creating oxidative damage. As a result, some oncologists recommend that patients avoid supplementing antioxidants if they are undergoing chemotherapy. Limited test tube research occasionally does support the idea that an antioxidant can interfere with oxidative damage to cancer cells.1 However, most scientific research does not support this supposition.
A modified form of vitamin A has been reported to work synergistically with chemotherapy in test tube research.2 Vitamin C appears to increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy in animals3 and with human breast cancer cells in test tube research.4 In a double-blind study, Japanese researchers found that the combination of vitamin E, vitamin C, and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)—all antioxidants—protected against chemotherapy-induced heart damage without interfering with the action of the chemotherapy.5
A comprehensive review of antioxidants and chemotherapy leaves open the question of whether supplemental antioxidants definitely help people with chemotherapy side effects, but it clearly shows that antioxidants need not be avoided for fear that the actions of chemotherapy are interfered with.6 Although research remains incomplete, the idea that people taking chemotherapy should avoid antioxidants is not supported by scientific research.
A new formulation of selenium (Seleno-Kappacarrageenan) was found to reduce kidney damage and white blood cell–lowering effects of cisplatin in one human study. However, the level used in this study (4,000 mcg per day) is potentially toxic and should only be used under the supervision of a doctor.7
Glutathione, the main antioxidant found within cells, is frequently depleted in individuals on chemotherapy and/or radiation. Preliminary studies have found that intravenously injected glutathione may decrease some of the adverse effects of chemotherapy and radiation, such as diarrhea.8
Glutamine
Though cancer cells use glutamine as a fuel source, studies in humans have not found that glutamine stimulates growth of cancers in people taking chemotherapy.9 10 In fact, animal studies show that glutamine may actually decrease tumor growth while increasing susceptibility of cancer cells to radiation and chemotherapy,11 12 though such effects have not yet been studied in humans.
Glutamine has successfully reduced chemotherapy-induced mouth sores. In one trial, people were given 4 grams of glutamine in an oral rinse, which was swished around the mouth and then swallowed twice per day.13 Thirteen of fourteen people in the study had fewer days with mouth sores as a result. These excellent results have been duplicated in some,14 but not all,15 double-blind research. In another study, patients receiving high-dose paclitaxel and melphalan had significantly fewer episodes of oral ulcers and bleeding when they took 6 grams of glutamine four times daily along with the chemotherapy.16
One double-blind trial suggested that 6 grams of glutamine taken three times per day can decrease diarrhea caused by chemotherapy.17 However, other studies using higher amounts or intravenous glutamine have not reported this effect.18 19
Intravenous use of glutamine in people undergoing bone marrow transplants, a procedure sometimes used to allow very high amounts of chemotherapy to be used, has led to reduced hospital stays, leading to a savings of over $21,000 for each patient given glutamine.20
Magnesium and Potassium
Some chemotherapy drugs (e.g., cisplatin) may cause excessive loss of magnesium and potassium in the urine.21 Three case reports and one review article suggest that both potassium and magnesium supplementation may be necessary to increase low potassium levels.22 23 In one case report, a 32-year-old man with testicular cancer developed severe magnesium deficiency after receiving cisplatin therapy for nine weeks.24 The magnesium deficiency resulted in seizures that were corrected by a combination of injected and oral magnesium therapy. Magnesium deficiency, as seen in this case, is a potentially dangerous medical condition that should only be treated by a doctor.
Melatonin
High amounts of melatonin have been combined with a variety of chemotherapy drugs to reduce their side effects or improve drug efficacy. One study gave melatonin at night in combination with the drug triptorelin to men with metastatic prostate cancer.25 All of these men had previously become unresponsive to triptorelin. The combination decreased PSA levels—a marker of prostate cancer progression—in eight of fourteen patients, decreased some side effects of triptorelin, and helped nine of fourteen to live longer than one year. The outcome of this preliminary study suggests that melatonin may improve the efficacy of triptorelin even after the drug has apparently lost effectiveness.
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)
NAC, an amino acid–like supplement that possesses antioxidant activity, has been used in four human studies to decrease the kidney and bladder toxicity of the chemotherapy drug ifosfamide.26 27 28 29 These studies used 1–2 grams NAC four times per day. There was no sign that NAC interfered with the efficacy of ifosfamide in any of these studies. Intakes of NAC over 4 grams per day may cause nausea and vomiting.
The newer anti-nausea drugs prescribed for people taking chemotherapy lead to greatly reduced nausea and vomiting for most people. Nonetheless, these drugs often do not totally eliminate all nausea. Natural substances used to reduce nausea should not be used instead of prescription anti-nausea drugs. Rather, under the guidance of a doctor, they should be added to those drugs if needed. At least one trial suggests that NAC, at 1,800 mg per day, may reduce nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.30
Spleen extract
Patients with inoperable head and neck cancer were treated with a spleen peptide preparation (Polyerga) in a double-blind trial during chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-FU.31 The spleen preparation had a significant stabilizing effect on certain white blood cells. People taking it also experienced stabilized body weight and a reduction in the fatigue and inertia that usually accompany this combination of chemotherapy agents.
Beta-carotene and Vitamin E
Chemotherapy frequently causes mouth sores. In one trial, people were given approximately 400,000 IU of beta-carotene per day for three weeks and then 125,000 IU per day for an additional four weeks.32 Those taking beta-carotene still suffered mouth sores, but the mouth sores developed later and tended to be less severe than mouth sores that formed in people receiving the same chemotherapy without beta-carotene.
In a study of chemotherapy-induced mouth sores, six of nine patients who applied vitamin E directly to their mouth sores had complete resolution of the sores compared with one of nine patients who applied placebo.33 Others have confirmed the potential for vitamin E to help people with chemotherapy-induced mouth sores.34 35 Applying vitamin E only once per day was helpful to only some groups of patients in another trial,36 and not all studies have found vitamin E to be effective.37 Until more is known, if vitamin E is used in an attempt to reduce chemotherapy-induced mouth sores, it should be applied topically twice per day and should probably be in the tocopherol (versus tocopheryl) form.
Vitamin A
A controlled French trial reported that when postmenopausal late-stage breast cancer patients were given very large amounts of vitamin A (350,000–500,000 IU per day) along with chemotherapy, remission rates were significantly better than when the chemotherapy was not accompanied by vitamin A.38 Similar results were not found in premenopausal women. The large amounts of vitamin A used in the study are toxic and require clinical supervision.
Zinc
Irradiation treatment, especially of head and neck cancers, frequently results in changes to normal taste sensation.39 40 Zinc supplementation may be protective against taste alterations caused or exacerbated by irradiation. A double-blind trial found that 45 mg of zinc sulfate three times daily reduced the alteration of taste sensation during radiation treatment and led to significantly greater recovery of taste sensation after treatment was concluded.41
Multivitamin-mineral
Many chemotherapy drugs can cause diarrhea, lack of appetite, vomiting, and damage to the gastrointestinal tract. Recent anti-nausea prescription medications are often effective. Nonetheless, nutritional deficiencies still occur.42 It makes sense for people undergoing chemotherapy to take a high-potency multivitamin-mineral to protect against deficiencies.
Taurine
Taurine has been shown to be depleted in people taking chemotherapy.43 It remains unclear how important this effect is or if people taking chemotherapy should take taurine supplements.
L-Carnitine
In a preliminary study, supplementation with 2 grams of L-carnitine twice a day for seven days relieved chemotherapy-induced fatigue in 90% of people who had been treated with the chemotherapy drugs cisplatin or ifosfamide.44 However, because there was no placebo group in the study, one cannot rule out the possibility that the fatigue resolved spontaneously.
Thymus peptides
Peptides or short proteins derived from the thymus gland, an important immune organ, have been used in conjunction with chemotherapy drugs for people with cancer. One study using thymosin fraction V in combination with chemotherapy, compared with chemotherapy alone, found significantly longer survival times in the thymosin fraction V group.45 A related substance, thymostimulin, decreased some side effects of chemotherapy and increased survival time compared with chemotherapy alone.46 A third product, thymic extract TP1, was shown to improve immune function in people treated with chemotherapy compared with effects of chemotherapy alone.47 Thymic peptides need to be administered by injection. People interested in their combined use with chemotherapy should consult a doctor.
Wheat grass
In a preliminary trial, taking wheat grass in the amount of 60 ml (about 2 ounces) per day during chemotherapy reduced the incidence of certain chemotherapy-related side effects (including anemia and a decline in white blood cell counts) in women with breast cancer. Taking wheat grass did not appear to interfere with the anticancer effect of the chemotherapy. The chemotherapy used in this study was a combination of 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide.48
Interactions with Herbs
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia)
Echinacea is a popular immune-boosting herb that has been investigated for use with chemotherapy. One study investigated the actions of cyclophosphamide, echinacea, and thymus gland extracts to treat advanced cancer patients. Although small and uncontrolled, this trial suggested that the combination modestly extended the life span of some patients with inoperable cancers.49 Signs of restoration of immune function were seen in these patients.
Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus)
Russian research has looked at using eleuthero with chemotherapy. One study of patients with melanoma found that chemotherapy was less toxic when eleuthero was given simultaneously. Similarly, women with inoperable breast cancer given eleuthero were reported to tolerate more chemotherapy.50 Eleuthero treatment was also associated with improved immune function in women with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiation.51
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum)
Milk thistle’s major flavonoids, known collectively as silymarin, have shown synergistic actions with the chemotherapy drugs cisplatin and doxorubicin (Adriamycin®) in test tubes.52 Silymarin also offsets the kidney toxicity of cisplatin in animals.53 Silymarin has not yet been studied in humans treated with cisplatin. There is some evidence that silymarin may not interfere with some chemotherapy in humans with cancer.54
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Ginger can be helpful in alleviating nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.55 56 Ginger, as tablets, capsules, or liquid herbal extracts, can be taken in 500 mg amounts every two or three hours, for a total of 1 gram per day.
German chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
A liquid preparation of German chamomile has been shown to reduce the incidence of mouth sores in people receiving radiation and systemic chemotherapy treatment in an uncontrolled study. When 15 drops of chamomile liquid was taken in 100 mL of warm water at least three times daily, the radiation amount required to produce mouth sores doubled, and their overall incidence and severity decreased.57
PSK (Coriolus versicolor)
The mushroom Coriolus versicolor contains an immune-stimulating substance called polysaccharide krestin, or PSK. PSK has been shown in several studies to help cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. One study involved women with estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer. PSK combined with chemotherapy significantly prolonged survival time compared with chemotherapy alone.58 Another study followed women with breast cancer who were given chemotherapy with or without PSK. The PSK-plus-chemotherapy group had a 25% better chance of survival after ten years compared with those taking chemotherapy without PSK.59 Another study investigated people who had surgically removed colon cancer. They were given chemotherapy with or without PSK. Those given PSK had a longer disease-free period and longer survival time.60 Three grams of PSK were taken orally each day in these studies.
Although PSK is rarely available in the United States, hot-water extract products made from Coriolus versicolor mushrooms are available. These products may have activity related to that of PSK, but their use with chemotherapy has not been studied.
Administration of St. John’s wort has been shown to reduce blood levels of the active form of the anticancer drug irinotecan.61 Consequently, individuals taking irinotecan should not take St. John’s wort.
Interactions with Foods and Other Compounds
Fruit drinks
Often, people who undergo chemotherapy develop aversions to certain foods, sometimes making it permanently difficult to eat those foods. Exposing people to what researchers have called a “scapegoat stimulus” just before the administration of chemotherapy can direct the food aversion to the “scapegoat” food instead of more important parts of the diet. In one trial, fruit drinks administered just before chemotherapy were most effective in protecting against aversions to other foods.62
Ingestion of grapefruit juice along with etoposide has been found to reduce blood levels of the drug.63 Studies with certain other medications suggest that grapefruit juice may affect drug availability, even if it is consumed at a different time of the day. Therefore, individuals taking etoposide should probably avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
References (To view, roll mouse over the "References" heading; to hide, click on the heading)
1. Witenberg B, Kalir HH, Raviv Z, et al. Inhibition by ascorbic acid of apoptosis induced by oxidative stress in HL-60 myeloid leukemia cells. Biochem Pharmacol 1999;57:823–32.
2. Sacks PG, Harris D, Chou T-C. Modulation of growth and proliferation in squamous cell carcinoma by retinoic acid: A rationale for combination therapy with chemotherapeutic agents. Int J Cancer 1995;61:409–15.
3. Taper HS et al. Non-toxic potentiation of cancer chemotherapy by combined C and K3 vitamin pre-treatment. Int J Cancer 1987;40:575–9.
4. Kurbacher CM, Wagner U, Kolster B, et al. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) improves the antineoplastic activity of doxorubicin, cisplatin, and paclitaxel in human breast carcinoma cells in vitro. Cancer Letters 1996:103–19.
5. Wagdi P, Fluri M, Aeschbacher B, et al. Cardioprotection in patients undergoing chemo- and/or radiotherapy for neoplastic disease. Jpn Heart J 1996;37:353–9.
6. Weijl NI, Cleton FJ, Osanto S. Free radicals and antioxidants in chemotherapy-induced toxicity. Cancer Treatment Rev 1997;23:209–40 [review].
7. Hu Y-J, Chen Y, Zhang Y-Q, et al. The protective role of selenium on the toxicity of cisplatin-contained chemotherapy regimen in cancer patients. Biol Trace Elem Res 1997;56:331–41.
8. De Maria D, Falchi AM, Venturino P. Adjuvant radiotherapy of the pelvis with or without reduced glutathione: a randomized trial in patients operated on for endometrial cancer. Tumori 1992;78:374–6.
9. Bozzetti F, Biganzoli L, Gavazzi C, et al. Glutamine supplementation in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: A double-blind randomized study Nutr 1997;13:748–51.
10. van Zaanen HCT, van der Lelie H, Timmer JG, et al. Parenteral glutamine dipeptide supplementation does not ameliorate chemotherapy-induced toxicity. Cancer 1994;74:2879–84.
11. Klimberg VS, McClellan JL. Glutamine, cancer, and its therapy. Am J Surg 1996;172:418–24.
12. Souba WW. Glutamine and cancer. Ann Surg 1993;218:715–28 [review].
13. Skubitz KM, Anderson PM. Oral glutamine to prevent chemotherapy induced stomatitis: a pilot study. J Lab Clin Med 1996;127:223–8.
14. Anderson PM, Schroeder G, Skubitz KM. Oral glutamine reduces the duration and severity of stomatitis after cytotoxic cancer chemotherapy. Cancer 1998;83:1433–9.
15. Okuno SH, Woodhouse CO, Loprinzi CL, et al. Phase III controlled evaluation of glutamine for decreasing stomatitis in patients receiving fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemotherapy. Am J Clin Oncol 1999;22:258–61.
16. Cockerham MB, Weinberger BB, Lerchie SB. Oral glutamine for the prevention of oral mucositis associated with high-dose paclitaxel and melphalan for autologous bone marrow transplantation. Ann Pharmacother 2000;34:300–3.
17. Muscaritoli M, Micozzi A, Conversano L, et al. Oral glutamine in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal toxicity Eur J Cancer 1997;33:319–20.
18. Bozzetti F, Biganzoli L, Gavazzi C, et al. Glutamine supplementation in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: A double-blind randomized study Nutr 1997;13:748–51.
19. Van Zaanen HCT, van der Lelie H, Timmer JG, et al. Parenteral glutamine dipeptide supplementation does not ameliorate chemotherapy-induced toxicity. Cancer 1994;74:2879–84.
20. MacBurney M, Young LS, Ziegler TR, Wilmore DW. A cost-evaluation of Glutamine-supplemented parenteral nutrition in adult bone marrow transplant patients. J Am Dietet Assoc 1994;94:1263–6.
21. Buckley JE, Clark VL, Meyer TJ, Pearlman NW. Hypomagnesemia after cisplatin combination chemotherapy. Arch Intern Med 1984;144:2347.
22. Rodriguez M et al. Refractory potassium repletion due to Cisplatin-induced magnesium depletion. Arch Intern Med 1989;149:2592–4.
23. Whang R, Whang DD, Ryan MP. Refractory potassium repletion. A consequence of magnesium deficiency. Arch Intern Med 1992;152(1):40–5.
24. van de Loosdrecht AA, Gietema JA, van der Graaf WT. Seizures in a patient with disseminated testicular cancer due to cisplatin-induced hypomagnesaemia. Acta Oncol 2000;39:239–40.
25. Lissoni P, Cazzaniga M, Tancini G, et al. Reversal of clinical resistance to LHRH analogue in metastatic prostate cancer by the pineal hormone melatonin: Efficacy of LHRH analogue plus melatonin in patients progressing on LHRH analogue alone. Eur Urol 1997;31:178–81.
26. Holoya PY, Duelge J, Hansen RM, et al. Prophylaxis of ifosfamide toxicity with oral acetylcysteine. Sem Oncol 1983;10(suppl 1):66–71.
27. Slavik M, Saiers JH. Phase I clinical study of acetylcysteine’s preventing ifosfamide-induced hematuria. Sem Oncol 1983;10(suppl 1):62–5.
28. Loehrer PJ, Williams SD, Einhorn LH. N-Acetylcysteine and ifosfamide in the treatment of unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma and refractory testicular cancer. Sem Oncol 1983;10(suppl 1):72–5.
29. Morgan LR, Donley PJ, Harrison EF. The control of ifosfamide induced hematuria with N-acetylcysteine. Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res 1981;22:190.
30. De Blasio F et al. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) in preventing nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy in patients suffering from inoperable non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Chest 1996;110(4, Suppl):103S.
31. Borghardt J, Rosien B, Gortelmeyer R, et al. Effects of a spleen peptide preparation as supportive therapy in inoperable head and neck cancer patients. Arzneimittelforschung 2000;50:178–84.
32. Mills EED. The modifying effect of beta-carotene on radiation and chemotherapy induced oral mucositis. Brit J Cancer 1988;57:416–7.
33. Wadleigh RG, Redman RS, Graham ML, et al. Vitamin E in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced mucositis. Am J Med 1992;92:481–4.
34. Lopez I, Goudou C, Ribrag V, et al. Treatment of mucositis with vitamin E during administration of neutropenic antineoplastic agents. Ann Med Intern [Paris] 1994;145:405–8.
35. El-Housseiny AA, Saleh SM, El-Masry AA, Allam AA. The effectiveness of vitamin "E" in the treatment of oral mucositis in children receiving chemotherapy. J Clin Pediatr Dent 2007;31:167–170.
36. Lopez I, Goudou C, Ribrag V, et al. Traitement des mucites par la vitamine E lors de l’administration d’anti-neoplasiques neutropeniants. Ann Med Interne 1994;145:405–8.
37. Legha SS, Wang YM, Mackay B, et al. Clinical and pharmacologic investigation of the effects of alpha-tocopherol on Adriamycin cardiotoxicity. Ann NY Acad Sci 1982;393:411–8.
38. Israel L, Hajji O, Grefft-Alami A, et al. Agumentation par la vitamine A des effets de la chimiotherapie dans les cancers du sein metastases apres la menopause. Ann Med Interne 1985;136:551–4.
39. Henkin RI. Prevention and treatment of hypogeusia due to head and neck irradiation. JAMA 1972;220:870–1.
40. Mossman KL, Henkin RI. Radiation-induced changes in taste acuity in cancer patients. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 1978;4:663–70.
41. Ripamonti C, Zecca E, Brunelli C, et al. A randomized, controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effects of zinc sulfate on cancer patients with taste alterations caused by head and neck irradiation. Cancer 1998;82:1938–45.
42. Dreizen S et al. Nutritional deficiencies in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. Postgrad Med 1990;87(1):163–70.
43. Desai TK, Maliakkal J, Kinzie JL, et al. Taurine deficiency after intensive chemotherapy and/or radiation. Am J Clin Nutr 1992;55:708–11.
44. Graziano F, Bisonni R, Catalano V, et al. Potential role of levocarnitine supplementation for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced fatigue in non-anaemic cancer patients. Br J Cancer 2002;86:1854–7.
45. Cohen MH, Chretien PB, Ihde DC, et al. Thymosin fraction V and intensive combination chemotherapy. Prolonging the survival of patients with small-cell lung cancer. JAMA 1979;241:1813–5.
46. Macchiarini P, Danesi R, Del Tacca M, Angeletti CA. Effects of thymostimulin on chemotherapy-induced toxicity and long-term survival in small cell lung cancer patients. Anticancer Res 1989;9:193–6.
47. Shoham J, Theodor E, Brenner HJ, et al. Enhancement of the immune system of chemotherapy-treated cancer patients by simultaneous treatment with thymic extract, TP-1. Cancer Immunol Immunother 1980;9:173–80.
48. Bar-Sela G, Tsalic M, Fried G, Goldberg H. Wheat grass juice may improve hematological toxicity related to chemotherapy in breast cancer patients: a pilot study. Nutr Cancer 2007;58:43–8.
49. Lersch C, Zeuner M, Bauer A, et al. Nonspecific immunostimulation with low doses of cyclophosphamide (LDCY), thymostimulin, and Echinacea purpurea extracts (Echinacin) in patients with far advanced colorectal cancers: Preliminary results. Cancer Invest 1992;10:343–8.
50. Kupin VJ. Eleutherococcus and Other Biologically Active Modifiers in Oncology. Moscow: Medexport, 1984, 21.
51. Kupin VI, Polevaya YB, Sorokin AM. Eleutherococcus extract treatment for immunostimulation in cancer patients. Vopr Onkol 1986;32:21–6 [in Russian].
52. Scambia G, De Vincenzo R, Ranelletti FO, et al. Antiproliferative effect of silybin on gynaecological malignancies: Synergism with cisplatin and doxorubicin. Eur J Cancer 1996;32A:877–82.
53. Gaedeke J, Fels LM, Bokemeyer C, et al. Cisplatin nephrotoxicity and protection by silibinin. Nephrol Dial Transplant 1996;11:55–62.
54. Invernizzi R, Bernuzzi S, Ciani D, Ascari E. Silymarine during maintenance therapy of acute promyelocytic leukemia. Haemotologia 1993;78:340–1.
55. Meyer K, Schwartz J, Crater D, Keyes B. Zingiber officinale (ginger) used to prevent 8-Mop associated nausea. Dermatol Nurs 1995;7:242–4.
56. Pace JC. Oral ingestion of encapsulated ginger and reported self care actions for the relief of chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting. Dissertaion Abstr Internat 1987;8:3297.
57. Carl W, Emrich LS. Management of oral mucositis during local radiation and systemic chemotherapy: A study of 98 patients. J Prosthet Dent 1991;66:361–9.
58. Toi M, Hattori T, Akagi M, et al. Randomized adjuvant trial to evaluate the addition of tamoxifen and PSK to chemotherapy in patients with primary breast cancer. Cancer 1992;70:2475–83.
59. Iino Y, Yokoe T, Maemura M, et al. Immunochemotherapies versus chemotherapy as adjuvant treatment after curative resection of operable breast cancer. Anticancer Res 1995;15:2907–12.
60. Mitomi T, Tsuchiya S, Iijima N, et al. Randomized, controlled study on adjuvant immunochemotherapy with PSK in curatively resected colorectal cancer. The Cooperative Study Group of Surgical Adjuvant Immunochemotherapy for Cancer of Colon and Rectum (Kanagawa). Dis Colon Rectum 1992;35:123–30.
61. Mathijssen RH, Verweij J, de Bruijn P, et al. Effects of St. John's wort on irinotecan metabolism. J Natl Cancer Inst 2002;94:1247–9.
62. Mattes RD. Prevention of food aversions in cancer patients during treatment. Nutr Cancer 1994;21:13–24.
63. Reif S, Nicolson MC, Bisset D, et al. Effect of grapefruit juice intake on etoposide bioavailability. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2002;58:491–4.
Copyright © 2008 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights reserved. www.healthnotes.com
Please read the disclaimer about the limitations of the information provided here. Do NOT rely solely on the information in this article.
Learn more about Healthnotes, the company.
Learn more about the authors of Using Medicines with Vitamins and Herbs
The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2009.