Efficacy of IP6 + inositol in the treatment of breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: prospective, randomized, pilot clinical study

Patients with invasive ductal breast cancer where polychemotherapy was indicated were monitored in the period from 2005-2007. Fourteen patients in the same stage of ductal invasive breast cancer were involved in the study, divided in two randomized groups. One group was subjected to take IP6 + Inositol while the other group was taking placebo. In both groups of patients the same laboratory parameters were monitored. When the treatment was finished, all patients have filled questionnaires QLQ C30 and QLQ-BR23 to determine the quality of life.Patients receiving chemotherapy, along with IP6 + Inositol did not have cytopenia, drop in leukocyte and platelet counts. Red blood cell counts and tumor markers were unaltered in both groups. However, patients who took IP6 + Inositol had significantly better quality of life (p = 0.05) and functional status (p = 0.0003) and were able to perform their daily activities.IP6 + Inositol as an adjunctive therapy is valuable help in ameliorating the side effects and preserving quality of life among the patients treated with chemotherapy.Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Around 1.15 million cases were recorded in 2002, representing 23% of all female and 11% overall cancers [1]. Breast cancer incidence rates for 2002 vary internationally by more than 25-fold, ranging from 3.9 cases per 100 000 in Mozambique to 101.1 in the US, in part reflecting low screening rates and incomplete reporting in developing countries [2]. Breast cancer is fatal in almost half of all cases. It is the leading cause of cancer death from cancer among woman worldwide, accounting for 16% of cancer deaths in adult women [1,2].Depending on the stage of breast cancer, the treatment is carried out by surgery, chemotherapy, ionizing radiation, hormone therapy and supportive measures that aim to reduce the side effects of treatment. Most patients are treated with chemotherapy in order to prevent the systemic dissemination of basic diseases. Pati