Hepatoprotective efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid in pediatrics acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2012 Oct;29(7):627-32. doi: 10.3109/08880018.2012.713083. Epub 2012 Aug 13.

Abstract

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) possesses a hepatoprotective effect in drug-induced hepatotoxicity. In a prospective randomized parallel study, 39 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were randomized to receive UDCA with chemotherapy for 6 months, then discontinued UDCA and were followed up for 3 months, (UDCA group) (N = 19) or receive chemotherapy without UDCA and followed up for 9 months (control group) (N = 20). In this pilot study, UDCA treatment was associated with a trend toward decreased levels of hepatic transaminases when concomitantly administered with chemotherapy and, therefore, safer outcome in children with ALL. Future studies with a larger sample size are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of UDCA in this setting.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adolescent
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Liver / drug effects*
  • Liver / pathology
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / drug therapy*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Protective Agents / administration & dosage
  • Protective Agents / pharmacology
  • Protective Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Ursodeoxycholic Acid / administration & dosage
  • Ursodeoxycholic Acid / pharmacology
  • Ursodeoxycholic Acid / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Protective Agents
  • Ursodeoxycholic Acid