Antioxidants Clinical efficacy has been confirmed in the treatment of aphthous ulcers in Behcet's disease with azelastine, a free-radical scavenger. These data prompted Osaki and colleagues[38] to examine this drug in combination with other antioxidants (vitamin E, vitamin C, and glutathione) for protection against chemoradiotherapy in 63 patients, all but 1 of whom had oral squamous cell carcinoma. The study demonstrated a delay in the onset of mucositis development and less severe mucositis in the azelastine-treated cohort compared with placebo; duration of mucositis was shorter in the azelastine arm as well. No effect on tumor regression or growth was observed, and the regimen was nontoxic. Doctor's Guide Oral mucositis is a common, debilitating side effect of cancer treatment occurring in approximately 40 percent of patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation. Oral mucositis is inflammation of the moist tissue lining the mouth and ranges from redness to severe ulceration. Symptoms of mucositis vary from pain and discomfort to an inability to take food or fluids. "Mucositis may also limit a patient's ability to tolerate either chemotherapy or radiation, and may be so severe as to delay treatment, limiting the effectiveness of the cancer therapy. Patients with damage to the lining of the mouth and a reduced immunity resulting from chemotherapy and radiation are also prone to opportunistic mouth infections. The use of morphine or other narcotic analgesics are indicated when severe pain accompanies the mucositis." Above paragrah from a story on Aesgen, Inc. April 2001 Ralph Moss -Moss Reports Aesgen, Inc. 2/03 announcement L-glutamine solution for Mucositis AES-14 (Saforis) Blood, March 2007 European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 2/07 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.