Improvement of Dysgeusia by Polaprezinc, a Zinc-L-carnosine, in Outpatients Receiving Cancer Chemotherapy

Abstract

Background/aim: Dysgeusia is one of the adverse events frequently affecting patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy. Dysgeusia-induced anorexia could decrease patient's quality of life. The present study was designed to determine whether the zinc-containing compound polaprezinc improves chemotherapy-induced dysgeusia.

Patients and methods: The incidence of grade 2 dysgeusia was assessed in 634 patients receiving cancer chemotherapy in outpatient settings during January 2013 and June 2017. Polaprezinc was administered to patients showing grade 2 dysgeusia and the effect was compared with that in patients subjected to follow-up observation.

Results: Grade 2 dysgeusia appeared in 80 patients (12.6%), in whom pancreatic cancer and treatment with fluoropyrimidines were significant risks for dysgeusia. Polaprezinc, when administered to patients with grade 2 dysgeusia, significantly shortened the duration of dysgeusia compared with that in the follow-up observation group. Subgroup analysis indicated that polaprezinc was less effective in patients with pancreatic cancer, those receiving gemcitabine, or those whose age was 65 year-old and over.

Conclusion: Chemotherapy-induced dysgeusia occurred with high frequency in patients with pancreatic cancer or in those receiving fluoropyrimidines. Polaprezinc was highly effective in improving the symptom of dysgeusia, except for patients with pancreatic cancer, those receiving gemcitabine and the elderly.

Keywords: Dysgeusia; cancer chemotherapy; fluoropyrimidines; gemcitabine; pancreatic cancer; polaprezinc.