Effectiveness of glutamine for the treatment of radiodermatitis in cancer patients: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Radiodermatitis is common in patients receiving radiotherapy for cancer. Glutamine is a popular nutritional supplement in cancer patients. A meta-analysis of five randomized controlled trials evaluated the use of glutamine for reducing radiodermatitis. The studies included 110 patients randomized to use of glutamine 10-30 g per day and 108 patients randomized to placebo. The incidence of moderate to severe radiodermatitis was significantly lower in the glutamine group than in the placebo group, with substantial heterogeneity (RR 0.49; 95% CI 0.32-0.76; I2=52%), which was lower among patients using glutamine 20-30 g per day (RR 0.60; 95% CI 0.41-0.87; I2=0%). The authors conclude that among patients receiving radiotherapy for cancer, using glutamine 20-30 g per day was associated with significant decrease in the incidence of moderate to severe radiodermatitis.