Effects of l-carnitine administration on health-related quality of life during cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Publication date: Available online 12 November 2018

Source: Auris Nasus Larynx

Author(s): Kazuhira Endo, Takayoshi Ueno, Kazuya Ishikawa, Yosuke Nakanishi, Satoru Kondo, Naohiro Wakisaka, Tomokazu Yoshizaki

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 of l-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 liquid l-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 the l-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.

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