Chemotherapy-induced nephrotoxicity

Overview

Kidney protection during cisplatin chemotherapy has been tested with Milk Thistle, Selenium (with vitamins C and E), and Taurine, each in small single trials. Milk Thistle results are unclear from one pre- and during-chemotherapy study. A selenium-vitamin beverage did not prevent cisplatin nephrotoxicity in one trial with adherence problems.

Taurine twice daily reduced kidney and liver injury markers and lessened fatigue in one leukemia trial, suggesting possible protection, but replication in larger studies is needed. See the evidence reviews below for dosing and outcome detail.

Effect graph

Unlock now

Relevant supplements

Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.


Taurine	★★★★★	Low
Selenium	★★★★★	Very Low / None
Milk Thistle	★★★★★	Very Low / None

Unlock now

Studies

Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.

3 supplements for and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.

TaurineView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceLowTrustMedium

Evidence Review

It is uncertain if taurine supplements help protect the kidneys during chemotherapy.
One small study in leukemia patients found that taking taurine twice daily reduced markers of kidney and liver damage and lessened fatigue during chemotherapy, suggesting it might offer some protection.
However, more research is needed to confirm these effects.

Browse 1 study

RCTEffect of taurine on attenuating chemotherapy-induced adverse effects in acute lymphoblastic leukemia2015

In young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, oral taurine reduced chemotherapy-induced nausea and liver enzyme elevations versus standard care alone.

Effect: Benefit
Population: Young adults
Ages: 16–23

View on PubMed

Milk ThistleView supplement →

Do not purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeVery Low / NoneEvidenceLowTrustMedium

Evidence Review

It is not clear if milk thistle helps protect the kidneys from damage caused by cisplatin chemotherapy.
In one small study, people took 140 mg of milk thistle extract (standardized to 70–80% silymarin) three times daily with meals, starting before and continuing during chemotherapy.
The results showed no benefit compared with placebo.

Browse 1 study

RCTEffect of Silymarin Administration on Cisplatin Nephrotoxicity: Report from A Pilot, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial2015

A pilot RCT in cisplatin-treated cancer patients found prophylactic silymarin 420 mg/day did not prevent acute kidney injury or urinary electrolyte wasting vs placebo.

Effect: No Benefit
Dose: 420 mg/day
Population: Cancer patients receiving cisplatin

View on PubMed

SeleniumView supplement →

Do not purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeVery Low / NoneEvidenceLowTrustMedium

Evidence Review

In a small study with cancer patients, drinking a beverage with vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium did not prevent kidney damage caused by the chemotherapy drug cisplatin.
The results might be less reliable because some patients did not follow the treatment properly.

Browse 1 study

RCTSupplementation with antioxidant micronutrients and chemotherapy-induced toxicity in cancer patients treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study2004

In 48 cisplatin-treated cancer patients, antioxidant supplementation with vitamin C, E, and selenium did not reduce nephrotoxicity or ototoxicity overall, though higher antioxidant levels correlated with less hearing loss.

Effect: No Benefit
Population: Cancer patients

View on PubMed

Unlock now

Evidence visualised

Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.

Purchase-guidance distribution

How many supplements fall in each purchase band

Effect-size distribution

How large the reported benefits tend to be

Study distribution across 3 supplements for chemotherapy-induced nephrotoxicity (3 studies total).
Supplement	DEX	Studies	Share
Milk Thistle	★★★★★32%	1	33%
Selenium	★★★★★32%	1	33%
Taurine	★★★★★44%	1	33%

Unlock now

Chemotherapy-induced nephrotoxicity

Overview

Effect graph

Relevant supplements

Studies

Evidence visualised

On this page