Findings

What do systematic reviews say?

8 questions · 8 findings · 2 reviews · Oral medicine and oral cancer

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No studies found 1 · 12.5%GRADE not reported 5 · 62.5%Very low 0 · 0%Low 1 · 12.5%Moderate 1 · 12.5%High 0 · 0%

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF; palifermin or repifermin), intravenous vs placebo

Interruptions to cancer treatment (chemotherapy delays/discontinuations) · Adults with cancer receiving treatment

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF; palifermin or repifermin),… showed no clear difference in interruptions to cancer treatment (chemotherapy… compared with placebo; GRADE not reported.

1 finding from 1 review

Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: cytokines and growth factors 2017 · Cochrane All outcomes
RT to head and neck with cisplatin/fluorouracil
RR 0.96 [0.62, 1.47]
2 studies · 374 participants
GRADE not reported

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF; palifermin or repifermin), intravenous vs placebo

Progression‐free survival · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region

Palifermin showed no clear difference in progression-free survival compared with placebo; GRADE not reported.

1 finding from 1 review

Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy 2017 · Cochrane All outcomes
42 to 72 months from baseline
HR 1.06 [0.80, 1.42]
3 studies
GRADE not reported

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF; palifermin or repifermin), intravenous vs placebo

Xerostomia (grade >= 2, 0-4 scale) · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region

Palifermin showed no clear difference in xerostomia (grade >= 2, 0-4 scale) compared with placebo (low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy 2017 · Cochrane All outcomes
Up to and including 3 months postRT
RR 0.97 [0.77, 1.22]
3 studies · 471 participants
Low

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF; palifermin or repifermin), intravenous vs placebo

Salivary flow rate · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

1 finding from 1 review

Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy 2017 · Cochrane All outcomes
None of the trials evaluating palifermin provided data on salivary flow rates.
0 studies
No studies found

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF; palifermin or repifermin), intravenous vs placebo

Overall survival · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region

Palifermin showed no clear difference in overall survival compared with placebo (moderate certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy 2017 · Cochrane All outcomes
42 to 72 months from baseline
HR 1.00 [0.72, 1.39]
3 studies
Moderate

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF; palifermin or repifermin), intravenous vs placebo

Adverse effects · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region

1 finding from 1 review

Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy 2017 · Cochrane All outcomes
No evidence of a difference in reported adverse events across the three trials (nausea, fever, constipation, diarrhoea, headache, fatigue and others)
3 studies
GRADE not reported

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF; palifermin or repifermin), intravenous vs placebo

Dysphagia · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region

Palifermin showed no clear difference in dysphagia compared with placebo; GRADE not reported.

1 finding from 1 review

Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy 2017 · Cochrane All outcomes
3 months postRT
RR 1.32 [0.55, 3.13]
3 studies
GRADE not reported

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF; palifermin or repifermin), intravenous vs placebo

Mouth and throat soreness (OMWQ-HN, 0-4 scale) · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region

Palifermin showed no clear difference in mouth and throat soreness (OMWQ-HN, 0-4 scale) compared with placebo; GRADE not reported.

1 finding from 1 review

Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy 2017 · Cochrane All outcomes
3 months postRT
MD -0.12 [-0.27, 0.02]
2 studies
GRADE not reported