Gatt, M.E., Strahilevitz, J., Sharon, N., Lavie, D., Goldschmidt, N., Kalish, Y., . . . Paltiel, O.B. (2015). A randomized controlled study to determine the efficacy of garlic compounds in patients with hematological malignancies at risk for chemotherapy-related febrile neutropenia. Integrative Cancer Therapies. Advance online publication.
To evaluate the efficacy of garlic compounds to reduce the risk and severity of infections among patients with hematologic malignancies
Patients were stratified according to National Comprehensive Cancer Network criteria for febrile neutropenia (FN) to receive either garlic or a placebo. Patients began the intervention after the last day of their courses of chemotherapy and continued until the resolution of neutropenia. Garlic was given in two doses of 450 mg active compound per day.
Placebo-controlled, double blinded, randomized trial
The majority of patients in both groups developed neutropenia and febrile episodes at similar rates. The number of positive cultures was similar. More patients receiving garlic stopped before the end of the period of neutropenia (19.5% in the garlic group compared to 4% in the placebo group). In the very high-risk group, more patients receiving garlic developed fever. In the intermediate risk group, fewer patients receiving garlic developed fever. There were no adverse events associated with garlic use.
Garlic did not appear to provide any protective effect against the development of febrile episodes during neutropenia in these patients.
Garlic extract appeared to be safe for patients with hematologic malignancies but did not show any efficacy for the prevention of fever or infection during neutropenic periods.