A phase III study evaluating oral glutamine and transforming growth factor-beta 2 on chemotherapy-induced toxicity in patients with digestive neoplasm.

Background: Patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer are exposed to cachexia, which is highly correlated with chemotherapy-induced side effects. Research suggests that specific immunonutrients could prevent such toxicities.

Aims: The primary objective of this phase III study was to evaluate the efficacy of glutamine and transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2) in the prevention of grade 3-4 non-hematological toxicities induced by chemotherapy in patients with GI cancer.