Mokhtar, G.M., Shaaban, S.Y., Elbarbary, N.S., & Fayed, W.A. (2010). A trial to assess the efficacy of glutamic acid in prevention of vincristine-induced neurotoxicity in pediatric malignancies: A pilot study. Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, 32, 594–600.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the value of glutamic acid as a modifier in vincristine-induced neurotoxicity.
Children were randomized to treatment or placebo groups during adjuvant treatment with vincristine. Patients were evaluated weekly by physical examination. The treatment group received glutamic acid 1.5 g orally per day in three divided doses during a four-week induction with vincristine.
The study was conducted at a single site in Egypt.
Phase of Care
Clinical Applications
The study had a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled design.
Achilles and patellar reflexes were decreased at weeks 3 and 4 in more patients receiving placebo. Prevalence of mild parasthesias was greater in the placebo group at week 4. No severe parasthesias were recorded in the glutamic acid group compared to an incidence rate of 7.5% in the placebo group. The differences were not statistically significant.
The findings suggest that glutamic acid may be helpful in reducing vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy symptoms in pediatric patients.
The findings suggest that glutamic acid may be helpful in managing peripheral neuropathy from vincristine; however, several study limitations exist. Additional well-designed research in this area is warranted.