Table 1 Characteristics of previous randomized controlled trials studying the effects of probiotics on radiation induced enteropathy
First author | Year /Country | No. of patients Pl/Pr | Primary tumor | Total RT dose (Gy) | Radiation technique | Chemotherapy Pl/Pr (%) | Probiotics | Daily CFU | Timing | Toxicity scoring system | Acute diarrhea (%) Pl/Pr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Linn | 2018/ Myanmar | 28/26 | Cervical | 50 | 2D | 79/73 | Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium | 6 × 109 | During RT, t.i.d. | CTCAE 4.0 | Mild–moderate 82/54 (SS) |
Demers | 2014/ Canada | 86/140 | Gynecologic, rectal, prostate | 40–50.4 | NA | 56/54 or 45 | Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium | 2.6 × 109 or 3 × 10 10 | During RT, b.i.d. or t.i.d. | WHO or CTCAE 3.0 | Moderate–severe 83/65 (SS) |
Chitapanarux | 2010/ Thailand | 31/32 | Cervical | 40–56 | 2D | 100 | Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium | 4 × 109 | 1 week before RT, during RT, b.i.d. | CTCAE 2.0 | Grade 2–3 45/9 (SS) |
Giralt | 2008/ Spain | 41/44 | Cervical, endometrial | 40–50 | NA | For cervical cancer | Streptococcus, Lactobacillus | 3 × 108 | 1 week, t.i.d. | CTCAE | Grade ≥ 2 59/68 (NS) |
Delia | 2007/ Italy | 239/243 | Sigmoid, rectal, cervical | 60–70 | NA | NA | Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus | 1.35 × 1012 | During RT, t.i.d. | WHO | Any grade 52/32 (SS) |