Self-applied photobiomodulation device: the next generation in oral mucositis prevention and treatment

Excerpt

Oncology therapies, including head and neck radiotherapy, cytotoxic chemotherapy, and hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), are often associated with the debilitating side effect of oral mucositis (OM) [1]. OM can induce severe pain, hinder the patient’s ability to eat or drink, and is considered one of the most severe complications of cancer treatment regimens [2]. The excruciating pain caused by OM can lead oncologists to reduce cancer therapy dosages, which can have prognostic implications [2]. Moreover, severe OM is linked to bloodstream infection during the pre-engraftment period [3] and is correlated with diminished survival post both autologous and allogeneic HCT [4, 5]. OM can escalate treatment costs due to the need for extensive supportive care and prolonged hospitalization [6]. As a result, extensive efforts have been made to identify effective preventive and curative interventions for OM. …