A randomised study to determine whether routine intravenous magnesium supplements are necessary in patients receiving cisplatin chemotherapy with continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil.

What Was Tested

This randomized controlled trial looks at Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc.

To determine the optimal regimen for magnesium supplementation in these patients, the researchers have conducted a randomised trial of routine intravenous magnesium supplements compared with magnesium given on an 'as required' basis. 32 patients were randomised to receive magnesium intravenously in prehydration and posthydration fluids with cisplatin chemotherapy, or to receive magnesium only when the serum level was low. 5-fluorouracil was given as a continuous infusion.

Why It Was Studied

Cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil, when used in combination, have synergistic antitumour activity in upper gastrointestinal malignancies, but it is unclear whether they have additive effects on renal magnesium loss.

All patients randomised to receive magnesium on an 'as required' basis had at least one episode of hypomagnesaemia.

Who Took Part

According to the abstract, 32 patients were involved.

PubMed indexes the participants as adults, middle-aged adults and older adults.

Serum magnesium was measured on admission for each cycle of chemotherapy and an interim measurement performed between each cycle. 28 patients were evaluable.

How the Study Was Run

The design is described as randomized.

Random assignment meant chance, not the researchers, decided who got Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc and who got the comparison, which limits bias.

What Was Measured

Cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil, when used in combination, have synergistic antitumour activity in upper gastrointestinal malignancies, but it is unclear whether they have additive effects on renal magnesium loss.

The subject headings attached to it are Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols, Cisplatin, Fluorouracil, Gastrointestinal Neoplasms, Health Care Costs, Magnesium and Magnesium Deficiency.

What This Means in Plain Language

The paper is a randomized study of Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc in 32 patients.

With fewer than 40 people, it is a small study, so it is better read as an early signal for further research than as a settled answer.

The publication is from 1995 (European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990)), a journal based in England.

More context: the Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc compound page, all human trials.