Effect of Fucoidan Dietary Supplement on the Chemotherapy Treatment of Patients with Unresectable Advanced Gastric Cancer

Abstract

In Japan, S-1 plus cisplatin has become a standard regimen for the treatment of unresectable advanced gastric cancer; however, many patients are unable to continue effective chemotherapy because of the regimen’s severe side effects. Thus, control of drug toxicity is key to prolonging patient survival. Fucoidan is a major sulfated polysaccharide found in brown seaweeds and has a wide range of biological activities. In the present study, we analyzed the effect of fucoidan on suppressing the toxicity of chemotherapy drugs. Twenty-four patients with unresectable advanced gastric cancer underwent treatment with S-1 plus cisplatin and were randomly allocated into a fucoidan treatment group (n = 12) or a control group without fucoidan treatment (n = 12). The study results demonstrated that fucoidan controlled the occurrence of fatigue during chemotherapy and patients could continue chemotherapy for longer time periods by maintaining the patients’ favorable nourishment status. As a result, the survival of patients with fucoidan treatment was longer than that of patients without fucoidan. Thus, fucoidan should be included as a key food supplement for patients with gastrointestinal carcinomas who are suffering from the adverse side effects of chemotherapy.