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Hepatoprotective efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid in pediatrics acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Mojeb Mohammed Saif1, Samar F Farid, Sahar A Khaleel

  • 1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. cl.pharm@yahoo.com

Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
|August 15, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) shows potential in protecting liver health during chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children. This pilot study suggests UDCA may reduce liver enzyme elevations, indicating a safer treatment outcome.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Hepatology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Drug-induced hepatotoxicity is a concern in cancer treatment.
  • Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is known for its hepatoprotective properties.
  • Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment in children often involves chemotherapy with potential liver side effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of UDCA as an adjunct therapy in children with ALL undergoing chemotherapy.
  • To assess the impact of UDCA on liver transaminase levels during chemotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective randomized parallel pilot study.
  • 39 children with ALL were randomized into two groups.
  • One group received chemotherapy with UDCA for 6 months, followed by 3 months of follow-up.
  • The control group received chemotherapy without UDCA for 9 months.

Main Results:

  • UDCA administration showed a trend toward decreased hepatic transaminase levels.
  • This suggests a potentially safer outcome for children with ALL receiving UDCA concurrently with chemotherapy.
  • The study was a pilot, necessitating further investigation.

Conclusions:

  • UDCA may offer a protective effect against chemotherapy-induced liver injury in pediatric ALL.
  • Further large-scale studies are required to confirm the efficacy and safety of UDCA in this patient population.

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