Study of Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) for Esophagus Protection in Patients With Lung Cancer Receiving Radial Radiotherapy

EGCG (purity≥95% by high pressure liquid chromatography; from Ningbo HEP Biotech Co., Ltd) is dissolved in 0.9% saline solution three times a day. A new batch is made up each time. For esophageal application, repeated swallowing of 10 ml of the EGCG solution is indispensable to assure the prolonged presence of drug the esophageal walls. We choose a dose of 440 lmol/L as the recommended concentration for this study by referring to our previous phase I study. Immediately at the beginning of radiotherapy, the EGCG solution is given until two weeks after radiotherapy completed. Steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, narcotics, local anesthetics, or other antibiotic/antifungal therapy are not given unless esophagitis progressed to grade 4.

EGCG (purity≥95% by high pressure liquid chromatography; from Ningbo HEP Biotech Co., Ltd) is dissolved in 0.9% saline solution three times a day. A new batch is made up each time. For esophageal application, repeated swallowing of 10 ml of the EGCG solution is indispensable to assure the prolonged presence of drug the esophageal walls. We choose a dose of 440 lmol/L as the recommended concentration for this study by referring to our previous phase I study. Patients begin medications as soon as grade 1 esophagitis occurred during radiation according to the RTOG criterion.

mLDG (lidocaine 0.16mg/mL, dexamethasone 0.02mg/mL, and gentamycin 0.16mg/mL) dissolved in 0.9% saline solution was administered three times a day. Patients were given oral mLDG solution, and began medications as soon as grade 1 esophagitis occurred during radiation according to the RTOG criterion.