Effects of cepharanthine with or without Z-100 against leukopenia during radiation therapy for oral cancer

Abstract

Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical influence of the administration of cepharanthine with or without Z-100 on the number of leukocytes during external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) in patients with oral cancer. Methods Data from 43 patients with oral cancer who received EBRT were evaluated retrospectively. During EBRT, 14 patients received neither cepharanthine nor Z-100 (group A), 19 patients were administered 6 mg/day peroral cepharanthine (group B), and 10 patients were administered both 6 mg/day peroral cepharanthine and Z-100 injections (group C). Blood tests were performed for all patients before, during, and after EBRT. The maintenance rates of white blood cells, lymphocytes, and neutrophils were evaluated. Results The average maintenance rates of white blood cells in group A were 84.7 % during the first half of EBRT, 81.5 % during the second half of EBRT, and 88.2 % at 1 month after EBRT. The corresponding rates were 112.6, 98.7, and 101.0 % in group B, and 97.1, 101.5, and 90.8 % in group C, respectively. The average maintenance rate of white blood cells in group B was significantly higher than that in group A during the first half of EBRT (P < 0.05). Conclusions Administration of cepharanthine may be useful for preventing leukopenia in patients with oral cancer treated by EBRT. © Japanese Society for Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology and Springer 2012.