Summary
Capecitabine is a chemotherapeutic drug for use in cancers. Hand–foot syndrome (HFS) is side effect of capecitabine which can lead the cessation of the therapy or dose reduction. Henna (Lawsonia inermis) is a traditionally used plant of Middle-East that is applied on hands and feet. Some of cancer patients in capecitabine treatment who developed HFS, we recommended to apply henna. In these patients, six patients were grade 3 HFS and four were grade 2 HFS. Complete response (CR) were seen in four of grade 3 HFS and all of grade 2; two grade 3 HFS improved to grade 1. So far, in the chemotherapy, there was no need of dose reduction and also no side effect of henna seen. Clinical improvement in these patients may relate to anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic effects of henna. Prospective studies are needed to show this therapeutic effect of henna.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Shimma N, Umeda I, Arasaki M, Murasaki C, Masubuchi K, Kohchi Y (2000) The design and synthesis of a new tumor-selective fluoropyrimidine carbamate, capecitabine. Bioorg Med Chem 8:1697–1706
Marsé H, Van Cutsem E, Grothey A, Valverde S (2004) Management of adverse events and other practical considerations in patients receiving capecitabine (Xeloda). Eur J Oncol Nurs 8:16–30
Comandone A, Bretti S, La Grotta G, Manzoni S, Bonardi G, Berardo R, Bumma C (1993) Palmar–plantar erythrodysestasia syndrome associated with 5-fluorouracil treatment. Anticancer Res 13:1781–1783
Gordon KB, Tajuddin A, Guitart J, Kuzel TM, Eramo LR, VonRoenn J (1995) Hand–foot syndrome associated with liposome-encapsulated doxorubicin therapy. Cancer 75:2169–2173
Lopez AM, Wallace L, Dorr RT, Koff M, Hersh EM, Alberts DS (1999) Topical DMSO treatment for pegylated liposomal doxorubicin-induced palmar–plantar erythrodysesthesia. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 44:303–306
Komamura H, Higashiyama M, Hashimoto K, Takeda K, Kimura H, Tani Y (1995) Three cases of chemotherapy-induced acral erythema. J Dermatol 22:116–121
Mortimer JE, Lauman MK, Tan B (2003) Pyridoxine treatment and prevention of hand–foot syndrome in patients receiving capecitabine. J Oncol Pharm Pract 9:161–166
Kandil HH, al-Ghanem MM, Sarwat MA, al-Thallab FS (1996) Henna (Lawsonia inermis Linn.) inducing haemolysis among G6PD-deficient newborns. A new clinical observation. Ann Trop Paediatr 16:287–291
Mikhaeil BR, Badria FA, Maatooq GT, Amer MM (2004) Antioxidant and immunomodulatory constituents of henna leaves. Z Naturforsch [C] 59:468–476
Blum JL, Jones SE, Buzdar AU, LoRusso PM, Kuter I, Vogel C (1999) Multicenter phase II study of capecitabine in paclitaxel-refractory metastatic breast cancer. J Clin Oncol 17:485–493
Lassere Y, Hoff P (2004) Management of hand–foot syndrome in patients treated with capecitabine (Xeloda). Eur J Oncol Nurs 8:31–40
Mrozek-Orlowski ME, Frye DK, Sanborn Hm (1999) Capecitabine: nursing implications of a new oral chemotherapeutic agent. Oncol Nursing Forum 26:753–762
Gerbrecht BM (2003) Current Canadian experience with capecitabine. Cancer Nursing 26:161–167
Fabian CJ, Molina R, Slavik M, Dahlberg S, Girl S, Stephens R (1990) Pyridoxine therapy for palmar–plantar erythrodysesthesia associated with continuous 5-fluorouracil infusion. Invest New Drugs 8:57–63
Ali BH, Bashir AK, Tanira MO (1995) Anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic effects of Lawsonia inermis L. (henna) in rats. Pharmacology 51:356–363
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yucel, I., Guzin, G. Topical henna for capecitabine induced hand–foot syndrome. Invest New Drugs 26, 189–192 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10637-007-9082-3
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10637-007-9082-3