Effect of Beta glucan on quality of life in women with breast cancer undergoing
chemotherapy: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Author(s): Ostadrahimi A(1), Esfahani A(2), Asghari Jafarabadi M(3), Eivazi Ziaei J(2),
Movassaghpourakbari A(2), Farrin N(4).
Affiliation(s): Author information:
(1)Nutrition Research Center, Faculty of Nutrition, Tabriz University of Medical
Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
(2)Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University
of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
(3)Tabriz Health Services Management Research Center, Faculty of Health, Tabriz
University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
(4)Student's Research Committee, Faculty of Nutrition, Tabriz University of Medical
Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Publication date & source: 2014, Adv Pharm Bull. , 4(Suppl 1):471-7
PURPOSE: Breast cancer is the most common female malignancy in the world. Beta
glucan may improve quality of life in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. The
aim of this trial was to determine the effect of Beta glucan on quality of life
in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy.
METHODS: This study was conducted on 30 women with breast carcinoma. The eligible
participants were randomly assigned to intervention (n=15) or placebo (n=15)
groups using a block randomization procedure. Patients in the intervention group
received two 10-mg capsules of soluble 1-3, 1-6, D-beta glucan daily and the
placebo group received placebo for 21 days, in an interval between two courses of
chemotherapy. Health - related quality of life (HRQL) was evaluated using the
EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire version.3.0 (EORTC QLQ-C30) at the beginning
and end of the study.
RESULTS: At the end of the study, the Global health status /QoL score for the
Beta glucan group was significantly increased (P=0.023), but the difference
between the two groups was not significant. After intervention, the Functional
scales score showed no significant change (P=0.099) between the two groups or
within the groups. At the end of the study, the Symptom scales\items score was
decreased significantly in Beta glucan group comparing the placebo group
(P=0.048), as well as after adjusting for baseline score. The Symptom
scales\items score's change was significant (P=0.012) within the Beta glucan
group, compared with the baseline score.
CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that Beta glucan may be useful as a
complementary or adjuvant therapy for improving quality of life in breast cancer
patients in combination with cancer therapies.
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