Talk Cancer

Question:

Somebody here told me about this taffy that has been tested at Yale Med school, the active ingredient being the active ingredient in cayenne pepper, that, when chewed, helps with the aftermath of radiation to the throat and mouth. Is commercial available or through prescription?  The oncologist didn’t seem to know anything about it.  Thanks… —

Response:

Is commercial available or through prescription?

I have no idea on its availablity.  I would expect it not to be by prescription.  Below is the article from Oncolink. Art Computational Logic, Inc. Austin, Texas Hot Pepper Candy Found to Help Chemotherapy Effects Researchers at Yale University School of Medicine have devised a candy, composed of hot chili peppers, to ease mouth pain in cancer patients. The taffy candy contains capsaicin — the active ingredient in chili peppers — to provide control of pain after repeated applications. Wolfe Nadoolman, a first year medical student working in the medical school’s taste laboratory was credited with the finding, according to Monday’s (Aug 22, ‘94) Yale Weekly Bulletin & Calendar. Wolfe created several batches of butterscotch brittle containing different levels of cayenne pepper to ascertain the right amount of capsaicin release… on his colleagues. The researchers decided to add the dosage to taffy, which has no sharp edges to irritate mouth sores. "The taffy was an instant success," said Dr Ann Berger, director of supportive care services, which is part of the Yale Cancer Center. "This is exciting to us because in oncology we do not ususally see rapid effects from treatment, but with the capsaicin candy, we were able to provide immediate relief for patients." Chemotherapy works by killing rapidly growing cells in the body. Some of these rapidly growing cells include cells in the mucous membranes of the mouth and esophagus, resulting in painful sores and problems with swallowing and nutrition during treatment. "Oral pain affects 40 to 70 percent of patients receiving cancer therapy, impeding speech, eating and overall quality of life," said Berger, of Yale University School of Medicine. The sugar in the candy inibits the burn of capsaicin in the mouth and the candy provides the perfect tactile stimulation in the mouth for effectiveness. Previously, the only treatments for the pain have been local anesthetics, which decrease the patient’s ability to eat, and narcotics. Further development includes development of a mouthwash and a form of ice cream for patients with difficulty swallowing. DISCLAIMER The following document has been posted on OncoLink for informational purposes only. The views, opinions or facts therein do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Pennsylvania or their representatives.

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