[Prevention and treatment of chemotherapy-induced digestive toxicities]

Digestive complications are frequent dose-limiting side-effects of chemotherapy. The incidence and the severity of these toxicities have to be systematically evaluated in order to provide specific curative and preventive treatments. Quick resolution of these complications is important to improve quality of life, and also to prevent hospitalization. Nausea, vomiting, mucositis, and diarrhea are the main digestive toxicities of chemotherapy. This review emphasizes the recent therapeutic approaches which could lead to a decrease of the incidence or the severity of these toxicities. Although marked progress has been accomplished these last years, a substantial degree of further improvement is needed to improve the effectiveness of specific treatments. Furthermore, research might focus on new strategies which may prevent the development of overall toxicity, by increasing the selectivity of chemotherapy on tumor cells.