Bonetta A, et al. – Researchers here evaluated the prophylactic role of an enteric–coated, highly standardized cranberry extract (VO370) in reducing lower urinary tract infection (LUTI) episodes, urinary discomfort, and nonsteroidal anti–inflammatory drug (NSAID) and antibiotic use during radiotherapy for prostate carcinoma. They realized that the enteric–coated, highly standardized cranberry extract could be used as a prophylactic to reduce the incidence of LUTIs and decrease antibiotic therapy in patients receiving pelvic irradiation for prostate cancer.

Methods

• Researchers randomized 924 patients with prostate carcinoma treated by radiotherapy to the prostatic and pelvic areas to receive (n=489) or not (n=435) the enteric–coated, highly standardized cranberry extract for 6–7 weeks concurrently with irradiation.
• Analysis of outcomes was performed by using Mann–Whitney U test and Pearson’s X² test.
• The number of patients with LUTI were primarily assessed.
• For this study, secondary endpoints were incidence of recurrence, days of treatment with antibiotics and number of subjects treated with NSAIDs, and incidence of dysuria.

Results

• In the study population, the treatment was very well tolerated, and there were no serious side effects.
• The study was completed by all enrolled patients.
• Researchers detected urinary infections in 53 of the 489 patients (10.8%) treated with enteric–coated, highly standardized cranberry extract, while 107 of the 435 patients (24.6%) in the control group developed LUTIs (p=0.0001).
• There appeared a clear and significant reduction in urinary discomfort of ~50% in treated subjects.
• About 50% reduction in the use of anti–inflammatory drugs and antibiotics was observed with the treatment.