Oral compound probiotic supplements can improve the quality of life for patients with lung cancer during chemotherapy: A randomized placebo-controlled study.

Hao Wei, Zhiying Yue, Jialong Han, Ping Chen, Ke Xie, Yu Sun, Jiang Zhu

Journal: Thoracic cancer 2024;15(2):182-191

PMID: 38018652

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Plain Language Summary

Platinum-based doublet chemotherapy occupies an important role in the management of lung cancer; however, there are treatment-associated side effects. These symptoms may deteriorate the quality of life for patients undergoing chemotherapy, and even necessitate dose reduction or discontinuation. The aim of this study was to determine whether oral compound probiotic supplements can reduce chemotherapy-related adverse effects and improve lung cancer patients' quality of life during chemotherapy. This study was a prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled, multicentre clinical study. A total of 100 lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy where enrolled for the study. They were randomly assigned to one of the two groups: intervention (probiotics) vs placebo. Results showed that the participants receiving probiotic supplements were significantly better in various dimensions of the overall quality of life, role function, nausea and vomiting, appetite loss, constipation, and diarrhoea relative to the placebo group. Authors concluded that compound probiotic supplements can improve the quality of life and relieve platinum-based doublet chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal adverse reactions for lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy is an important approach for lung cancer patients. The study was designed to evaluate the feasibility of the compound probiotic supplements in improving the quality of life for lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

METHODS

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled chemotherapy-naive patients with lung cancer who were scheduled to receive platinum-based doublet chemotherapy. All eligible patients were randomly administered (1:1) compound probiotic supplements (group BP-1) or placebo (group C) for two chemotherapy cycles. The EORTC QLQ C30 questionnaire scores were evaluated before the first, second, and third cycles of chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was the difference in the EROTC QLQ C30 questionnaire score between the two groups after two cycles of chemotherapy.

RESULTS

A total of 110 patients were recruited from March 2021 to January 2022. After undergoing two cycles of chemotherapy, group BP-1 were significantly better in various dimensions of the overall quality of life, role function, nausea and vomiting, appetite loss, constipation, and diarrhea relative to group C (76.90 ± 18.31 vs. 58.89 ± 17.17; 93.33 ± 11.58 vs. 85.93 ± 15.06; 0.00 ± 0.00 vs. 27.04 ± 29.15; 6.67 ± 13.53 vs. 22.22 ± 18.80; 0.95 ± 5.63 vs. 28.15 ± 22.42; 2.86 ± 9.47 vs. 15.56 ± 16.82; p < 0.05, respectively). The incidence of nausea and vomiting, appetite loss, constipation, and diarrhea in group BP-1 was significantly lower than in group C (0% vs. 71.43%, 16.67% vs. 57.14%, 2.38% vs. 63.27%, and 7.14% vs. 42.86%, respectively, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Compound probiotic supplements can improve the quality of life and relieve chemotherapy-related gastrointestinal side effects for lung cancer patients receiving platinum-based doublet chemotherapy. (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR1800019269).

Address: Thoracic Oncology Ward, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.; Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.; Cancer Center, Chengdu, China.; Cancer Center, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.; Radiotherapy Physics & Technology Center, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.; Thoracic Oncology Ward, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.; Department of Medical Oncology, Shangjin branch of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.

DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.15177