Effect of a social network-based supportive program (WhatsApp) on the sexual self-concept of women with breast cancer: A single-blind-randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Sexual self-concept has an influence on the sexual behaviors of women with breast cancer. Supportive programs for these women have demonstrable empirical efficacy; however, their effectiveness has not been examined. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a supportive program based on social networks on the sexual self-concept of women with breast cancer. METHODS: In this randomized controlled single-blind trial, 60 women were assigned to the intervention (n = 30) and control (n = 30) groups using permuted block randomization. Overall, eight 45-min intervention sessions were held (twice a week). The primary outcome was sexual self-concept, and the secondary outcomes were women's sexual quality of life and participants' satisfaction. The questionnaires were completed by patients before the intervention and immediately and 1 month after the intervention. RESULTS: The generalized equation estimation test showed that the positive sexual self-concept score of the intervention group versus the control group had increased by 15.67 points (P < 0.001, effect size = 2.00) 1 month after the intervention. The negative sexual self-concept score had decreased by 2.65 points (P < 0.001, effect size = 0.74), and the situational sexual self-concept score had upturned by 6.82 points (P < 0.001, effect size = 2.08) in the intervention group at the same period. Also, the sexual quality of life score in the intervention group compared to the control group generally increased by 13.82 points (P < 0.001, Effect size = 2.08) 1 month following the intervention. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESULTS: A social networking support program can be a promising approach to improve the sexual self-concept of women with breast cancer. CLINICAL TRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER: Iranian Clinical Trial Register, IRCT20150608022609N8. Registered on 2 July 2020.

Effect of atorvastatin 1% mouthwash in the prevention of radiotherapy induced mucositis: A pilot study.

Background: Oral mucositis is a troublesome symptom for people who receive radiotherapy and chemotherapy and it is a dose-dependent factor. Atorvastatin is a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and various studies have proven its anti-inflammatory effects. The goal of this study was to evaluate atorvastatin 1% mouthwash effects in prevention of radiotherapy-induced mucositis. Methods: Atorvastatin 1% suspension was prepared for mouthwash in this randomized, double-blind clinical trial. Thirty patients randomly received atorvastatin or placebo mouthwash. They had to gargle 5cc of mouthwash, 3 times per day during radiotherapy. The severity and pain of mucositis was evaluated every week, during their treatment. Results: The severity of mucositis between the two study groups was significant every four weeks (p<0.05) and the percentage of patients with more severe mucositis was less in the atorvastatin group. It is found that the pain intensity was lower after 3 and 4 weeks in atorvastatin group. Conclusion: These findings indicated that atorvastatin mouthwash showed a significant activity in relieving of radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis and pain.

Aloe vera for Prevention of Acute Radiation Proctitis in Colorectal Cancer a Preliminary Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the preventive effects of Aloe vera in colorectal cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Twenty colorectal cancer patients, who received radiation, were randomized to receive Aloe vera 3% or placebo ointment, 1 g twice daily for 6 weeks. At weekly visits, acute radiation proctitis (ARP) was evaluated by Radiation Therapy Oncology Group and clinical presentation criteria as the primary endpoint. We also evaluated secondary endpoints of quality of life, psychosocial status, by applying Hospital Anxiety-Depression (HAD) Scale and laboratory measures of quantitative measurement of C-reactive protein (CRP) as a marker for systemic inflammation. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in the symptom index (before treatment vs. after treatment with Aloe vera) for diarrhea (p = 0.029, median score: 0.5 vs. 0.001). The overall primary and secondary outcomes favored Aloe group, while the measures of toxicity did not achieve a statistical significant difference. The lifestyle score improved significantly with A. vera (p = 004), and they also had a lower depression score in HAD scale (p = 0.008). Furthermore, quantitative CRP decreased significantly during the course of treatment with Aloe vera. CONCLUSION: The use of topical formulation of Aloe vera 3% diminishes the severity of ARP in colorectal cancer patients.

Febuxostat, an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, ameliorates ionizing radiation-induced lung injury by suppressing caspase-3, oxidative stress and NF-κB.

Febuxostat (FBX), a selective inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, has several biological properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis activities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of FBX against ionizing radiation (IR)-induced lung injury through mitigation of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis. Sixty-four mice were randomized into eight groups as control, FBX (5, 10, and 15 mg/kg), IR (6 Gy), and IR + FBX (IR + FBX in three doses). Mice were received FBX for 8 consecutive days and then were exposed to IR at a single dose (6 Gy) of X-ray. At 1 and 7 days after irradiation, the biochemical parameters were analyzed in lung tissue, while histological and immunohistochemical examinations were evaluated 1 week after irradiation. Irradiation led to elevate of oxidative stress parameters (an increase of MDA, PC, NO, and decrease of GSH), inflammation and apoptosis in lung of mice. Furthermore, IR resulted in histopathological changes in the lung tissues. These changes were significantly mitigated by FBX treatment. FBX also inhibited immunoreactivity of caspase-3, NF-κB, and reduced oxidative stress. This study showed that FBX is able to protect lung injury induced by IR through inhibiting apoptosis (caspase-3), oxidative stress and inflammation (NF-κB).

Prediction of human error probability during the hydrocarbon road tanker loading operation using a hybrid technique of fuzzy sets, Bayesian network and CREAM.

Objectives. The hydrocarbon road tanker loading operation is vulnerable to human error. The present study aimed to develop a methodology for predicting human error probabilities (HEPs) in various subtasks of this operation. Methods. First, task analysis was performed using hierarchal task analysis. Then, HEP was calculated using a hybrid technique of fuzzy set theory (FST), Bayesian network (BN) and cognitive reliability and error analysis method (CREAM). FST was used for handling uncertainties regarding common performance conditions (CPCs) and the BN was employed for modeling the interrelationships among CPCs and HEPs. The weighted sum algorithm was used for quantifying conditional probability tables in the network. Results. Twenty-six subtasks were required for completing the road tanker loading operation. Investigating the internal parts of the tanker before the loading operation and attaching the ground rode clamp were the subtasks with highest HEPs. Working conditions and crew collaboration were the CPCs with the highest contribution to these errors. HEP was most sensitive to crew collaboration. Conclusion. Improving collaboration among the driver, site operators and control room operators, as well as increasing the knowledge of the road tanker driver regarding the hazards of incompatible chemicals, are the best practices for reducing HEPs in this operation.

The Radiosensitizing Effect of Olanzapine as an Antipsychotic Medication on Glioblastoma Cell.

BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy is used as one of the most effective regimens for cancer treatment, while radioresistance is a major drawback in cancer treatment. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the sensitizing effect of olanzapine (OLA) with X-ray on glioblastoma (U-87 MG) cells death. METHODS: The synergistic killing effect of OLA with ionizing radiation (IR) on glioma was evaluated by colony formation assay. The generations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and protein carbonyl (PC) as oxidized proteins were determined in OLA-treated and irradiated cells. RESULTS: Results of this study showed that OLA reduced the number of colonies in irradiated glioma cells.OLA elevated ROS and PC levels in irradiated cells. The synergistic killing effect of OLA with IR in U-87 MG cells was observed at concentrations of 1 µM and 20 µM of OLA. The maximum radiosensitizing effect of OLA was observed at a concentration of 20 µM. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that OLA has a radiosensitizing effect on cell death induced by IR in glioma cells.

Atorvastatin Sensitizes Breast and Lung Cancer Cells to Ionizing Radiation.

Tumour cells may be resistant to radiotherapy that results in unsuccessful cancer treatment in patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitizing effect of atorvastatin (ATV) on breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) and non-small cell lung cancer (A-549) cells following exposure to ionizing radiation (IR). These cells were treated with ATV and exposed to X-ray at dose 4 Gy. The radiosensitizing effects of ATV were evaluated by flow cytometry and anti-proliferation assays. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was determined in irradiated and treated cells with ATV. The findings of this study showed that ATV increased the percentage of apoptotic cells in irradiated breast and lung cancer cells. ATV exhibited anti-proliferative effect on cancer cells and increased cell death induced by IR. ATV increased ROS production in irradiated cells. The present study demonstrates that ATV has radiosensitizing effect on breast and lung cancer cells through increasing apoptosis, ROS production and cell death induced by IR.

Prevention of acute radiation-induced Proctitis by Aloe vera: a prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial in Pelvic Cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Acute radiation-induced proctitis (ARP) is the most common side effect following radiotherapy for malignant pelvic disease. This study evaluated the efficacy of Aloe vera ointment in prevention of ARP. METHODS: Forty-two patients receiving external-beam radiotherapy (RT) for pelvic malignancies were randomized to receive either Aloe vera 3% or placebo topical ointment during radiotherapy for 6 weeks. These patients were evaluated based on the severity (grade 0-4) of the following symptoms weekly: rectal bleeding, abdominal/rectal pain, diarrhea, or fecal urgency. RTOG acute toxicity criteria and psychosocial status of the patients were also recorded weekly. Lifestyle impact of the symptoms, and quantitative measurement of C-reactive protein (CRP), an indicator of systemic inflammation, were also measured. RESULTS: The results of present study demonstrated a significant preventive effect for Aloe vera in occurrence of symptom index for diarrhea (p < 0.001), rectal bleeding (p < 0.001), and fecal urgency (p = 0.001). The median lifestyle score improved significantly with Aloe vera during RT (p < 0.001). Intervention patients had a significant lower burden of systemic inflammation as the values for quantitative CRP decreased significantly over 6 weeks of follow-up (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: This study showed that Aloe vera topical ointment was effective in prevention of symptoms of ARP in patients undergoing RT for pelvic cancers. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT201606042027N6. Registration date: 2016-09-04.

Fluoxetine as an antidepressant medicine improves the effects of ionizing radiation for the treatment of glioma.

Radiotherapy is a cancer treatment protocol which delivers high dose of ionizing radiation (IR) to tumor. Tumor resistance and side effects induced by IR still are the major challenges in radiotherapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the synergistic killing effect of fluoxetine (FL) with IR on glioma cancer cell (U-87 MG), as well as radioprotective effect of FL against cellular toxicity induced by IR on non-malignant human fibroblast cell (HFFF2). Firstly, the inhibitory effects of FL on cell proliferations were evaluated in U-87 MG and HFFF2 cells. The clonogenic and MTT assays were used to evaluate the radiosensitivity and radioprotective effects of FL on cancer and non-malignant cells. The frequencies of apoptotic cells were evaluated by flow cytometry on both cancer and normal cells. Results showed that FL exhibited anti-cancer effect on glioma cells, while cellular toxicity was low in HFFF2 cells treated with FL. FL decreased the viable colonies and enhanced apoptotic cells when U-87 cells were treated with FL prior irradiation. For comparison, FL exhibited radioprotective effect through increasing cellular proliferation rate and reducing apoptosis in HFFF2 cells against IR. The results showed that FL enhanced the IR-induced glioma cancer cell death and apoptosis, whereas it exhibited a radioprotective effect on normal fibroblast cells suggesting that FL administration may improve glioma radiotherapy.

Efficacy of sucralfate ointment in the prevention of acute proctitis in cancer patients: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Acute radiation proctitis (ARP) is a usual adverse effect in patients undergoing pelvic radiotherapy. The symptoms include diarrhea, rectal blood or mucus discharge, fecal urgency and tenesmus with pain. Sucralfate, an aluminum-based salt of sucrose octasulfate, is a cytoprotective agent that forms a coating barrier at injured sites by adhering to mucoproteins. It has been used in topical management of a wide variety of local lesion. This study was designed to evaluate the preventive effect of rectal sucralfate on acute radiotherapy induced proctitis. METHODS: Seven percent sucralfate ointment was prepared for topical use. Drug quantification, chemical stability and microbial limit tests were performed carefully. In this randomized double blind placebo controlled trial, fifty-seven patients with pelvic malignancies undergoing radiotherapy were allocated to receive either 1 g of sucralfate or 1 g of placebo, given as a twice daily ointment, one day before and during radiotherapy for six weeks. The eligible patients were evaluated based on RTOG acute toxicity criteria and the following ARP symptoms weekly: rectal hemorrhage, diarrhea, rectal pain, and fecal urgency. The influence of symptoms on lifestyle was also recorded weekly. RESULTS: Acute proctitis was significantly less prevalent in patients in the sucralfate group. The incidence of rectal bleeding (P=0.003), diarrhea (P=0.002), rectal pain (P=<0.001) and fecal urgency (P=0.002) was significantly less common in the sucralfate group. No statistical significant difference was observed for radiotherapy induced cystitis in the placebo and sucralfate groups (P=0.27). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that sucralfate7% ointment reduces the incidence of symptoms associated with acute radiation proctitis.

Radioprotective effect of diethylcarbamazine on radiation-induced acute lung injury and oxidative stress in mice.

The present study was designed to evaluate the radioprotective effect of diethylcarbamazine (DEC) against oxidative stress and acute lung injury induced by total body radiation (TBI) in mice. For study the optimum dose for radiation protection of DEC, mice were administrated with three dose of DEC (10, 50 and 100 mg/kg), once daily for eight consecutive days. Animals were exposed whole body to 5 Gy X-radiation on the 9 day. The radioprotective potential of DEC in lung tissues was assessed using oxidative stress examinations at 24 h after TBI and histopathological assay also was analyzed one week after TBI. Results from biochemical analyses demonstrated increased malonyldialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and protein carbonyl (PC) levels of lung tissues in only irradiated group. Histopathologic findings also showed an increase in the number of inflammatory cells and the acute lung injury in this group. DEC pretreatment significantly mitigated the oxidative stress biomarkers as well as histological damages in irradiated mice. The favorable radioprotective effect against lungs injury was observed at a dose of 10 mg/kg of DEC in mice as compared with two other doses (50 and 100 mg/kg). The data of this study showed that DEC at a dose of 10 mg/kg with having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can be used as a therapeutic candidate for protecting the lung from radiation-induced damage.

Nigella sativa L. for prevention of acute radiation dermatitis in breast cancer: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Nigella sativa L. (N. sativa) extract on preventing the incidence of acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) in breast cancer patients. METHODS: Sixty-two breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) were randomly assigned to receiveN. sativa 5% gel or placebo. Patients were instructed to apply the medications twice daily during RT period. The severity of ARD, the incidence of moist desquamation, worst experienced pain, and skin-related quality of life (SRQOL) scores were assessed weekly during RT. RESULTS: Patients who were treated with the N. sativa gel developed ARD significantly less frequently compared to those who used the placebo (p < 0.05 for all weeks except week 2, p = 0.36). The incidence time of grade 2 and 3 of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (RTOG/EORTC) toxicity was prolonged significantly with N. sativa gel as compared to placebo (35 vs. 29 days, p = 0.00 and 42 vs. 40 days, p = 0.01, respectively). Furthermore, the occurrence of moist desquamation was delayed in the N. sativa gel group compared with the placebo group (37 vs. 33 days, p = 0.01). The mean score of the worst pain that patients experienced in the placebo group was significantly higher than that of the N. sativa gel group at week 3 (2.5 ±â€¯0.5 vs. 1.2 ±â€¯0.3, p < 0.05). Nonetheless, the application of N. sativa gel had no significant effect on the SRQOL of patients at any week. CONCLUSION: N. sativa extract significantly decreases the severity of ARD and delays the onset of moist desquamation in breast cancer patients.

Radioprotective effect of olanzapine as an anti-psychotic drug against genotoxicity and apoptosis induced by ionizing radiation on human lymphocytes.

Olanzapine (OLA), is prescribed as an anti-psychotic medicine in schizophrenia patients. In this study, the protective effect of OLA against genotoxicity and apoptosis induced by ionizing radiation in human healthy lymphocytes was evaluated. At first, the antioxidant activities of OLA were assayed by two different methods as free radical scavenging with DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl) and ferric reducing power methods. In in vitro experiment, human blood samples were treated with OLA at various concentrations (0.25-20 µM) for 3 h and then were exposed to X-ray at a dose of 150 cGy. The genotoxicity was assessed in binucleated human lymphocytes with micronuclei assay. The apoptotic lymphocytes were assessed by flow cytometry in OLA treated and/or irradiated lymphocytes. OLA exhibited free radical scavenging and reducing power activities more than ascorbic acid. The results showed that the lymphocytes treated with OLA and later exposed to IR presented lower frequencies of micronuclei and apoptosis compared to the control sample which was irradiated and not treated to OLA. The maximum radioprotection was observed at 20 µM of OLA with 83% of efficacy. The present study suggested the protective role for OLA in protection radiation-induced genetic damage and apoptosis induced by ionizing irradiation in human normal cells.

Correction to: The synergistic effect of mefenamic acid with ionizing radiation in colon cancer.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The name of "Zohreh Noaparast" is now corrected in the author group of this article.

Radioprotective Effect of Gliclazide as an Anti-Hyperglycemic Agent Against Genotoxicity Induced by Ionizing Radiation on Human Lymphocytes.

OBJECTIVES: Gliclazide (GL) is widely used to reduce hyperglycemia in diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of GL against chromosome damage induced by ionizing radiation in human blood lymphocytes. METHODS: In this experimental study, peripheral blood samples were collected from human volunteers and treated with GL at various concentrations (5, 25, 50 or 100 µM) for three hours. Then samples were irradiated to X-ray (1.5 Gy). Blood samples were cultured with mitogenic stimulation. The frequencies of micronuclei in cytokinesis-blocked binucleated lymphocytes were determined in the different samples. The antioxidant activities of GL were assayed by two different methods as 1,1- diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH) free radical scavenging and reducing antioxidant power assays. RESULTS: GL significantly reduced the percentage of micronuclei in lymphocytes which were irradiated. The maximum radioprotection in the reduction of percentage of micronuclei in lymphocytes was observed at 100 µM of GL with 52% efficacy. GL exhibited excellent free radical scavenging activity and reducing power at concentration dependent activities. The IC50 values of GL were lower than ascorbic acid. Higher potencies were observed in the antioxidant activities for GL than ascorbic acid in both methods. CONCLUSION: This data exhibits that GL is a powerful radioprotective agent that could protect healthy cells against the chromosome damage induced by ionizing radiation through antioxidant activity. The radioprotective effect is new indication of GL for patient's protection against side effect induced by ionizing radiation.

The synergistic effect of mefenamic acid with ionizing radiation in colon cancer.

Despite radiotherapy is an effective regimen in cancer treatment, resistance to tumor therapy still is a major challenge to radiotherapy and results in cancer recurrence and metastasis. Then the sensitization of tumor cells to ionizing radiation (IR) would be beneficial in cancer treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the synergistic effect of mefenamic acid (MEF) on colon cancer cell (HT-29) exposure to IR. HT-29 cells were treated with MEF and then exposed to IR. The synergistic effect of MEF is evaluated by clonogenic assay and flow cytometry. The productions of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined in irradiated and treated cells with MEF. The findings of this study showed that MEF had anti-cancer effect on colon cancer cell line and it increased the apoptosis in irradiated HT-29 cells. Also MEF reduced the number of cell colonies when HT-29 cells pre-treated with MEF and irradiated. MEF increased ROS production in irradiated cells. This additive effect of MEF with IR in killing of HT-29 cell was observed at low (10 µM) and medium (100 µM) concentrations of MEF. The present study demonstrates that MEF to be an additive effect on apoptosis and cell death induced by IR in colon cancer cells.

Topical atorvastatin 1% for prevention of skin toxicity in patients receiving radiation therapy for breast cancer: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study was to investigate the preventive effect of topical administration of atorvastatin (ATV) on the acute radiation-induced skin toxicity in patients with breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy breast cancer patients were randomly assigned to use topical ATV 1% or placebo gels during radiotherapy twice daily. Radiation-induced dermatitis was classified according to the radiation therapy oncology group (RTOG) criteria, as well as pain and itching were scored according to VAS (visual analogue scale) for 6 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Topical administration of ATV gel during radiotherapy reduced significantly radiation-induced breast swelling, itching, and pain in breast cancer patients by factors of 1.8, 1.7, and 1.5, respectively. ATV reduced the redness caused by radiotherapy in patients as compared with placebo; however, this difference was statistically not significant. CONCLUSION: ATV was able to reduce significantly itching, breast edema, and pain in patients during radiotherapy.

The Influence of Piperine on the Radioprotective Effect of Curcumin in Irradiated Human Lymphocytes.

OBJECTIVES: Ionizing radiation (IR) induces DNA damage in normal cells, leading to genotoxicity. The radioprotective effects of co-treatment with curcumin and piperine were investigated against genotoxicity induced by IR in human normal lymphocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human blood samples were pretreated with curcumin at different concentrations (5, 10, and 25 µg/mL) and/or piperine (2.5 µg/mL) and then were exposed to IR at a dose 1.5 Gy. The radioprotective effects of curcumin and piperine were assessed by micronucleus (MN) assay. RESULTS: Curcumin and piperine reduced the percentage of MN induced by IR in lymphocytes. Piperine alone significantly reduced genotoxicity induced by IR as compared to curcumin alone at all concentrations. An additive radioprotective effect was observed with combination of piperine and curcumin at the low concentration of 5 µg/mL, while this synergistic effect was not observed with curcumin at the higher concentrations of 10 and 25 µg/mL. CONCLUSION: Piperine has a potent radioprotective effect at low concentration as compare to curcumin. However, an additive radioprotective effect was observed with co-treatment with piperine and curcumin at low concentration, while piperine increased the percentage of MN in normal lymphocytes when co-treated with curcumin at higher concentration.

Radioprotective Effect of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles Against Genotoxicity Induced by Ionizing Radiation on Human Lymphocytes.

BACKGROUND: Ionizing radiation induces DNA damage on normal cell results in apoptosis and cell deaths. OBJECTIVES: The radioprotective effects of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs) on genotoxicity, apoptosis and necrosis induced by Ionizing Radiation (IR) in human healthy lymphocytes as highly radiosensitive cells were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lymphocytes were prepared from three volunteers and then treated with CNPs at different concentrations and exposed to IR at dose 1.5 Gy. The radioprotective effects of CNPs were assessed by micronucleus (MN) assay and flow cytometry. Interleukin-1 was quantified in treated samples. RESULTS: It was found that CNPs reduced the percentage of MN induced by IR in lymphocytes up to 73%. CNPs treatment significantly reduced IR-induced apoptotic and necrotic incidences in human lymphocytes. CNPs significantly reduced IL-1ß produced in cell environment exposed to IR. The present study demonstrated that CNPs may be an effective radioprotector against DNA damage and apoptosis induced by IR mainly through mitigation of pro-inflammatory process in lymphocytes. CONCLUSION: This result provides a new potential indication of CNPs for protection of normal cells during radiation therapy in the treatment of cancer or unwanted radiation exposure.

Randomized Double-blind Placebo-controlled Trial of Celecoxib for the Prevention of Skin Toxicity in Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The skin toxicity-induced by ionizing radiation may limit the duration of treatment and may lead to discomfort in quality of life of patients during radiotherapy. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study was to investigate the preventive effect of oral administration of celecoxib (CLX) on the acute radiation- induced skin toxicity in patients with breast cancer. METHODS: Sixty breast cancer patients were randomly assigned to use CLX (400 mg per day) or placebo capsules during radiotherapy. Radiation-induced dermatitis was classified according to the radiation therapy oncology group (RTOG) criteria, as well as pain and itching were scored according to the VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) for six weeks of treatment. Breast swelling was evaluated through increase in the size of the breast during radiotherapy. RESULTS: Oral administration of CLX capsule during and after radiotherapy reduced significantly radiation-induced itching and pain in patients with breast cancer. CLX reduced the frequency of increased breast size caused by radiotherapy in patients as compared with placebo; however, this difference was statistically not significant. Patients who received CLX had insignificantly skin dermatitis when compared with placebo group. CONCLUSION: However, CLX was unable to reduce the dermatitis caused by ionizing radiation; it significantly reduced itching and pain in patients during radiotherapy. CLX may have beneficial effects in the quality life of breast cancer patients for treatment.