Alpha lipoic acid for prevention of radiation-induced dermatitis in breast cancer patients: A randomized-controlled trial
In brief
Alpha lipoic acid reduces moderate radiation skin rash to 10% in breast cancer
In a single-blind trial of 40 women receiving breast radiotherapy, daily 300 mg alpha lipoic acid lowered the proportion developing grade 2 or worse dermatitis from 45% to 10% and kept most patients rash-free through weeks two and three. The supplement was well tolerated and also lowered inflammatory IL-6 levels, suggesting a safe prophylactic option, though larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.
- Journal
- British journal of clinical pharmacology (Q1)
- Published
- 8 September 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- Rana Mohamed Elsayed Kelany, Mohamed Ahmed Refaat, Sara Mahmoud Shaheen, Areej Mohamed Ateya
- PMID
- 42706889
- DOI
- 10.1002/bcp.70809
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Dermatology (top studies of the week, 13 September 2026): High-quality evidence in a top journal
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Radiation-induced dermatitis (RID) is an important side effect that occurs in 95% of patients receiving radiation therapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) in preventing RID in breast cancer patients. METHODS: In this randomized-controlled, single-blinded trial, 40 patients with breast cancer who were scheduled for radiotherapy were randomly allocated to ALA group (n = 20) who received 300 mg ALA three times daily starting at the first day of radiotherapy for 3 weeks or control group (n = 20) who did not receive any prophylaxis for RID. Primary outcomes were the incidence and severity of RID using Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) grading criteria. Secondary outcomes were maximum grade of RID and changes in serum concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6). RESULTS: In ALA group, 90% and 60% of patients remained asymptomatic at the end of the second and third weeks of radiotherapy compared to 50% and 20%, respectively, in the control group. Moreover, only 10% of patients in ALA group developed ≥ grade 2 RID compared to 45% in control. A significant reduction in the serum levels of IL-6 was observed in the ALA group at the end of the study compared to control (p = 0.044). ALA was safe and well-tolerated. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic administration of ALA significantly delayed the onset and reduced the severity of RID besides its anti-inflammatory effect in breast cancer patients.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.