Comparison of liposomal gel with and without addition of chamomile for prevention of radiation dermatitis in head and neck cancer patients: A randomized controlled trial

• Published in: Radiotherapy and oncology 2024-10, Vol.199, p.110440, Article 110440
• Main Authors: Menêses, Amanda Gomes, Ferreira, Elaine Barros, Vieira, Larissa Aparecida Corrêa, Bontempo, Priscila de Souza Maggi, Guerra, Eliete Neves Silva, Ciol, Marcia A., Reis, Paula Elaine Diniz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Chamomile; Double-Blind Method; Female; Gels; Head and neck neoplasms; Head and Neck Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Humans; Liposomes; Male; Matricaria; Middle Aged; Plant Extracts - administration & dosage; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Radiodermatitis; Radiodermatitis - etiology; Radiodermatitis - prevention & control; Skin care
• ISSN: 0167-8140; 1879-0887; 1879-0887
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2024.110440

•The chamomile liposomal gel has potential for better management of radiation dermatitis.•For severe grades, both gels presented lower incidences of radiation dermatitis.•The chamomile liposomal gel had lower occurrence of symptoms of radiation dermatitis. Head and neck cancer patients frequently develop radiation dermatitis (RD) during radiotherapy. We compared liposomal gel with and without chamomile extract for the prevention and management of RD in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Sixty participants undergoing radiotherapy for the first time for head and neck cancer were recruited in a double-blind randomized clinical trial. Primary outcomes were the occurrence of dry desquamation and the cumulative dose of ionizing radiation at the first occurrence of dry desquamation. Secondary outcomes were the occurrence of erythema, moist desquamation, global RD, and participant self-reported symptoms. Dry desquamation occurred in 76.9 % (95 % CI: 57.9, 89.0) of participants in the chamomile liposomal gel group and in 88.9 % (95 % CI: 71.9, 96.1) in the liposomal gel group (p = 0.43). The median cumulative dose of ionizing radiation when dry desquamation occurred was 48.0 Gy in the chamomile liposomal gel group and 40.0 Gy in the liposomal gel group. Fewer symptoms were reported in the chamomile liposomal gel group. No statistically significant differences in outcomes were found between the two groups, though the chamomile liposomal gel group presented with lower grades of RD than the liposomal gel group. In addition, when compared to the literature on other topical interventions to manage RD, our results show that chamomile liposomal gel has potential for better management and prevention of RD in this population, which should be further tested. This study provides crucial information to design future studies. Clinical Trials Registration (REBEC): RBR-92cts3.