Prophylaxis of Magnesium-rich Mineral Water to Prevent Hypomagnesemia Induced by an Anti-EGFR Monoclonal Antibody

Anti-EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) therapies, namely cetuximab and panitumumab, have become standards in the management of metastatic colorectal and head and neck cancers. These therapies are used in daily practice, that requiring to manage their skin and digestive toxicities. However, anti-EGFR are also frequently responsible for hypomagnesemia often neglected and under-treated.

Magnesium remains the fourth cation and the second most important intracellular cation in the body. It is an indispensable cofactor in multiple enzymatic reactions. Hypomagnesemia may manifest as asthenia, cramps, muscle weakness, mood disorders. She is often underestimated because they are difficult to identify and accountable by clinicians in the context of cancer under chemotherapy.

There is currently no national or international recommendation on the management of hypomagnesaemia in oncology and medicine in general. Hypomagnesemia is, in daily practice, mostly undiagnosed or untreated. There are, however, on the market many nutritional supplements rich in magnesium in the form of tablets or oral solution, in multiple dosages.

To date, these food supplements rich in magnesium are sold without proof of effectiveness. The clinical data are very insufficient, and no oral supplementation is reimbursed. Moreover, the prescription of oral magnesium supplementation, often several intakes a day, adds to the oncology patient an over-medicalization, which can be poorly tolerated at the digestive level, and responsible for diarrhea and a lack of compliance. Oral hydration is one of the most prescribed medical advice and remains essential to combat the risk of dehydration in extreme ages. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommends in its opinion on "Dietary reference values for water" to consume 2 liters for women and 2.5 liters for men every day, all sources combined (food and beverages). The drink represent 80% of the water intake, that is about 1.5 Liter per day excluding food. However, there are multiple water marketed or distributed freely, with different compositions. Thus the quantity and quality of the mineral water consumed can influence the metabolism.

The digestive absorption of magnesium provided by mineral water in a healthy individual was evaluated at around 40 to 50%. Rozana® mineral water, has the double advantage of being the French water the most concentrated in magnesium (160 mg / L) and of being lowly concentrated in sulphate, responsible of the laxative power of certain waters.