A real-life experience of long-term use of pilocarpine in irradiated head and neck cancer patients.

AIMS

To assess long-term efficacy and side effects of pilocarpine on irradiated head and neck cancer (HNC) patients in both for prevention and treatment of radiation-induced xerostomia (RIX).

METHODS

Retrospective observational study was conducted. Eligibility criteria included irradiated HNC patients who received pilocarpine at least 12 weeks either for prevention (group A) or for treatment (group B) of RIX. We collected the documented Late Effect Normal Tissue Task Force-Subjective, Objective, Management, Analytics subjective/objective grades of RIX before (only group B) and the latest visit for pilocarpine prescription, dosage, side effects, duration of treatment, and the cause of discontinuation.

RESULTS

Between December 2007 and June 2022, 182 patients were enrolled including 95 patients (52%) in group A and 87 patients (48%) in group B. Group A patients reported grades 1, 2, 3, and 4 objective RIX in 0%, 7%, 93%, and 0%. Grade 1, 2, and 3 subjective RIX were 57%, 28%, and 15%. All patients in group B had grade 3 both objective/subjective RIX. The overall improvement of objective/subjective RIX was found in 40%/83%. Discontinuation was found in 51% of patients due to tolerable symptoms or deterioration of the patient's status.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on this retrospective analysis, long-term use of pilocarpine in irradiated HNC appears feasible for both prevention and treatment of RIX.