Zinc is an intracellular mineral with important enzymatic cofactor activities for cell
membrane stability, DNA and RNA structure. Zinc deficiency is associated with delayed wound
healing and immune dysfunction. In patietns with hematological malignancies an inverse
correlation was found between disease stage and zinc level. Patients undergoing high dose
chemotherapy for hematologic malignancies are predisposed to develop oral and
gastrointestinal complications, in particular oral mucositis. These patients may have
relative zinc deficiency, therefore oral zinc therapy may be benefical in the prevention of
these complications.