Reduction of radiation side-effects by hydrolytic enzymes

Beaufort F. 

Universitätsklinik für Radiologie, Landeskrankenhaus Graz, Auenbruggerplatz, Graz

Therapeutikon 1990, Vol. 4, Nr. 10, pp. 577-580

WM 49 (1-04-1)

German abstract here

Summary

Fifty-seven patients who underwent radiatio for abdominal cancer were taken into a randomized prospective clinical trial. Twenty-five of these patients received concomitantly to radiatio a preparation of hydrolytic enzymes and thymus. Thirty-seven patients without enzyme therapy served as control group.
In spite of randomization the two groups showed differences: the mean duration of hospitalization was 5.7 weeks in the control group and 6.6 weeks in the enzyme group, respectively. The patients in the control group got a cumulative radiatio dose of on average 46.7 Gy, in the enzyme group of 53.4 Gy.
Nevertheless, the side effects due to radiatio - mainly gastrointestinal and genito-urinary complaints were comparable in both groups as for frequency and severity. The duration of the side effects, however, showed a statistically significant advantage in favour of the enzyme group: on average, the side effects lasted 24.6 days in the control group and only 13.8 days in the enzyme group. Thus, the duration of the side effects was shortened by the enzyme therapy to an extent of 43.9%. Relevant laboratory parameters showed no or only slight changes during therapy. Double blind trials have just been started to verify these results.