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Volume 17, Issue 2 (June-2025 2025)
Iranian Journal of Blood and Cancer 2025, 17(2): 24-33 |
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Aflatoonian S, Shamsi S, Ilaghi M, Yazdani S, Eghbalian M, Bahador M. Zinc Sulphate for Prevention of Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy-Induced Dermatitis: A Three-arm Triple-blinded Randomized Clinical Trial. Iranian Journal of Blood and Cancer 2025; 17 (2) :24-33
URL: http://ijbc.ir/article-1-1709-en.html
URL: http://ijbc.ir/article-1-1709-en.html
Sarah Aflatoonian1 
, Sara Shamsi1 , Mehran Ilaghi2 , Samira Yazdani1 , Mostafa Eghbalian3 , Maryam Bahador *4
, Sara Shamsi1 , Mehran Ilaghi2 , Samira Yazdani1 , Mostafa Eghbalian3 , Maryam Bahador *4
1- Department of Radiation Oncology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
2- Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman Neuroscience Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
3- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Public Health, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.
4- Department of Radiation Oncology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. ,maryamb2003@yahoo.com
2- Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman Neuroscience Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
3- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Public Health, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.
4- Department of Radiation Oncology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. ,
Abstract: (899 Views)
Background: Radiation therapy (RT)-induced dermatitis is a common side effect in breast cancer patients that impacts quality of life and treatment compliance. Although zinc sulphate has shown potential for reducing skin lesions in preclinical studies, clinical evidence is still limited.
Methods: In this three-arm triple-blinded randomized trial, 180 breast cancer patients scheduled for whole breast RT were allocated to receive zinc sulphate 150mg/day (n=60), zinc sulphate 100 mg/day (n=60), or placebo (n=60) during RT. The primary outcome was dermatitis severity per Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) criteria at pre-specified time points through weeks 1 to 5 during RT and months 1 and 2 after RT cessation.
Results: Dermatitis severity was significantly lower in both zinc sulphate arms versus placebo from weeks 3-5 of RT (p<0.01). Moreover, the 150 mg/day arm showed lower dermatitis severity versus 100 mg/day in week 5 of RT (p<0.001), with mean RTOG scores of 0.33±0.47 for 150 mg/day, 0.75±0.62 for 100 mg/day, and 1.30±0.74 for the placebo group. Analysis of dermatitis trends revealed a dose-dependent pattern, with 150 mg/day showing an earlier plateau in severity escalation. No significant drug adverse effects were observed.
Conclusions: Zinc sulphate supplementation during breast cancer RT mitigates the incidence and severity of acute radiation dermatitis in a potentially dose-dependent manner, which demonstrates the potential to improve patient quality of life by reducing RT-related skin toxicity. Further research on optimal dosing and long-term effects is warranted.
Methods: In this three-arm triple-blinded randomized trial, 180 breast cancer patients scheduled for whole breast RT were allocated to receive zinc sulphate 150mg/day (n=60), zinc sulphate 100 mg/day (n=60), or placebo (n=60) during RT. The primary outcome was dermatitis severity per Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) criteria at pre-specified time points through weeks 1 to 5 during RT and months 1 and 2 after RT cessation.
Results: Dermatitis severity was significantly lower in both zinc sulphate arms versus placebo from weeks 3-5 of RT (p<0.01). Moreover, the 150 mg/day arm showed lower dermatitis severity versus 100 mg/day in week 5 of RT (p<0.001), with mean RTOG scores of 0.33±0.47 for 150 mg/day, 0.75±0.62 for 100 mg/day, and 1.30±0.74 for the placebo group. Analysis of dermatitis trends revealed a dose-dependent pattern, with 150 mg/day showing an earlier plateau in severity escalation. No significant drug adverse effects were observed.
Conclusions: Zinc sulphate supplementation during breast cancer RT mitigates the incidence and severity of acute radiation dermatitis in a potentially dose-dependent manner, which demonstrates the potential to improve patient quality of life by reducing RT-related skin toxicity. Further research on optimal dosing and long-term effects is warranted.
Keywords: Radiation Therapy, Dermatitis, Skin Toxicity, Breast Cancer, Zinc Sulphate, Clinical Trial
: Original Article |
Subject:
Radiotherapy
Received: 2025/04/27 | Accepted: 2025/06/25 | Published: 2025/06/30
Received: 2025/04/27 | Accepted: 2025/06/25 | Published: 2025/06/30
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