Effects of l-carnitine administration on health-related quality of life during cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Issue 3 (June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Endo, Kazuhira; Ueno, Takayoshi; Ishikawa, Kazuya; Nakanishi, Yosuke; Kondo, Satoru; Wakisaka, Naohiro; Yoshizaki, Tomokazu
• Is Part Of: Auris nasus larynx. Volume 46:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 431
• Page End: 436
• Publication Date: 2019-06
• Subjects: Carnitine -- Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma -- Health-related quality of life -- Fatigue -- Cisplatin; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anl.2018.10.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0385-8146

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Cancer-related fatigue impairs daily functioning and negatively impacts health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Our previous study revealed that cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy (CRT) impairs the carnitine system and carnitine deficiency leads to poor physical functioning. This open label, randomized, controlled prospective study investigated the effects ofl -carnitine administration on plasma carnitine concentration, CRT-induced fatigue, and decline in HRQoL in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods: Patients were divided into experimental group (received 1000 mg of oral liquidl -carnitine once daily for 8 weeks) and control group. The primary and secondary endpoints were the change in HRQoL scores and the change in carnitine levels, respectively, from baseline (pre-CRT) to after CRT. Results: The mean total plasma carnitine concentration in the control group decreased significantly, 2 weeks after the end of chemotherapy, while no significant differences were seen in thel -carnitine group.l -carnitine administration, therefore, kept the physical functioning score unchanged. Conclusion: Our study shows that patients who receive CRT experience chemotherapy-induced damage of carnitine homeostasis leading to deficiency of carnitine and impairment of HRQoL.l -carnitine administration is beneficial in improving the HRQoL in patients with HNSCC.