Background and Objectives: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common malignancy of childhood. Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia as a serious hematologic toxicity is one of the main treatment complications in these patients. We hypothesized that an herbal formulation of chamomile could be effective in management of neutropenia.
Methods: A randomized triple-blind placebo controlled clinical trial was conducted with inclusion criteria of: 2-18 years old children, diagnosis of ALL (B-cell subtype), and admission in hospital. Those with sensitivity to chamomile were to be excluded. Participants in each group received 2.5 cc of either chamomile syrup or placebo syrup once daily for 30 days. Their white blood cell (WBC) count and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) was measured before and after the intervention as the primary outcome measures.
Results: A total number of 20 patients in each group (40 in total) finished the study. Comparison of longitudinal changes between the groups revealed higher level of WBC (P-value=.008) and ANC (P-value=.038) in the test group. No adverse effect was reported.
Conclusion : Using chamomile syrup as a complementary treatment in pediatric oncology patients can improve their immunity and minimize their chemotherapy complications, specially neutropenia.
Keywords: Matricaria recutita , Chamomile, Leukemia, Neutropenia, Integrative Oncology