Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical effect of Cepharanthin^® against leucopenia by external radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.
Materials and methods: Between September 2002 and June 2004, 18 patients (14 males and 4 females) with head and neck cancer were treated with external radiotherapy and given Cepharanthin^® at the same time. The median age of this group was 69 years old, ranging from 27 to 91 years old. The total dose of external radiotherapy for these patients was 48-70 Gy (median; 52 Gy). We combined chemotherapy in 4 patients. All patients were given 6mg per day peroral Cepharanthin^® during external radiotherapy, and total medication of Cepharanthin^® was 150-378mg (median; 252mg). Between April 1990 and March 1993, 21 patients (13 males and 8 females) with head and neck cancer were treated with external radiotherapy and not given Cepharanthin^® at the same time. The median age of this group was 65 years old, ranging from 44 to 82 years old. The total dose of external radiotherapy for these patients was 30-70 Gy (median; 50 Gy). Five patients underwent combined chemotherapy. We examined the blood 4 times before, during and after external radiotherapy. We evaluated the maintenance rate in the blood of white blood cell, platelet, lymphocyte, and neutrophils.
Results: For the group without Cepharanthin^®, the average maintenance rate of white blood cells at the first half of radiotherapy, the second half of radiotherapy, and one month after radiotherapy were 86.0%, 76.0% and 84.2%, respectively. For the group with Cepharanthin^®, these values were 104.9%, 93.5% and 101.6, respectively. There was the significant difference between two groups in the second half of external radiotherapy (P<0.05).
Conclusion: It was possible to prevent leucopenia by administering Cepharanthin^® during external radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.