Aloe Vera Ineffective Against Radiation-Induced Inflammation in Cancer Patients 32823

Aloe Vera Ineffective Against Radiation-InducedInflammation in Cancer Patients

STANFORD, Calif.--Oral administration of aloe vera may not preventinflammation of mucous membranes in head and neck cancer patients undergoingradiation therapy, according to a study published in the September issue of the InternationalJournal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics (60, 1:171-7, 2004) (www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03603016).

In the single-institution, double blind, prospective, randomized trial, 58head-and-neck cancer patients who had received radiotherapy were randomizedbetween oral aloe vera and placebo. The subjects were examined biweekly formucositis at 15 head-and-neck subsites and administered quality-of-lifequestionnaires. At baseline, patients in the aloe and placebo groups werestatistically identical; at the end of treatment, the two groups were alsostatistically identical in maximal grade of toxicity, duration of mucositis,quality-of-life scores, percentage of weight loss, use of pain medications,hydration requirements, oral infections and prolonged radiation breaks.

The researchers concluded oral aloe vera was not a beneficial adjunct tohead-and-neck radiotherapy as it did not improve tolerance to head-and-neckradiotherapy, reduce mucositis, decrease soreness or otherwise improve patientwell-being.