Thalidomide attenuates radiation-induced apoptosis and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in oral epithelial cells by promoting LZTS3 expression.

Radiation-induced oral mucositis (RIOM) is a prevalent oral complication that occurs in individuals undergoing radiotherapy or radiation treatment for head and neck tumors. The presence of oral mucosal rupture and ulcerative lesions, which are the defining features of this condition, can significantly affect the quality of life of patients. Additionally, it can interfere with tumor therapy and contribute to an unfavorable prognosis. Current evidence suggests that cellular inflammation and programmed cell death are important factors in disease development. Moreover, thalidomide (THD) has been revealed to reduce the incidence and severity of RIOM in patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. However, the mechanism through which THD improves RIOM remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the role of LZTS3 in RIOM by analyzing various sequencing datasets and conducting knockdown and overexpression experiments. We used small interfering RNA transfection and LZTS3 overexpression, followed by validation through polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, flow cytometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In this study, we identified LZTS3 as a potential target for THD regulation in RIOM. Through a series of experiments, we confirmed that LZTS3 has the ability to inhibit the inflammatory response and apoptosis of cells. In addition, we also found that THD can regulate the expression of LZTS3 by upregulating, thereby affecting inflammatory response and apoptosis. We repeated these results in a live animal model. In summary, THD has the potential to reduce the occurrence of oral mucositis in patients by upregulating LZTS3 levels. These findings provide a promising avenue for future drug research and development to treat RIOM.

Preventive effect of probiotics on oral mucositis induced by anticancer therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Oral mucositis (OM) is a prevalent and painful complication in patients undergoing anticancer treatment, which significantly impacts patients' quality of life (QoL) and adherence to therapy. The use of oral probiotics as a preventive strategy for OM has shown promise, but the clinical evidence remains inconclusive. This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aims to evaluate the efficacy of probiotics in preventing OM caused by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. METHODS: A comprehensive search of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov was conducted up to January 31, 2024, to identify eligible RCTs. The primary outcomes were the incidences of severe OM and all-grade OM. Secondary outcomes included rates of anticancer treatment completion, clinical response, requirement for enteral nutrition, time course of OM, body weight loss, QoL, and adverse events (AEs). Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 12 RCTs involving 1,376 patients were included in the quantitative analysis. Probiotics administration significantly reduced the risk of severe OM (RR = 0.61, 95%CI: 0.53-0.72, P < 0.001) and all-grade OM (RR = 0.90, 95%CI: 0.82-0.98, P = 0.016) compared to the control group. Multi-strain probiotics formulations were more effective than single-strain probiotics in preventing severe OM (P = 0.011). There were no significant differences between the probiotics and control groups regarding anticancer treatment completion (RR = 1.03, 95%CI: 0.98-1.08, P = 0.198), clinical response to therapy (RR = 1.05, 95%CI: 0.94-1.17, P = 0.406), or the need for enteral nutrition (RR = 1.28, 95%CI: 0.49-3.35, P = 0.680). AEs related to probiotics were rare, with no serious AEs attributable to probiotics use. CONCLUSIONS: Oral probiotics are both safe and effective in preventing and reducing the severity of OM in patients undergoing anticancer therapy. Multi-strain probiotics demonstrate superior efficacy compared to single-strain probiotics. Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and optimize probiotic treatment strategies for cancer patients.

The prevalence of oral mucositis after radiotherapy in patients with Head and Neck Cancer and its associated factors: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Although the discussion about oral mucositis in Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) patients has become a prominent issue, its incidence and influencing factors have not been thoroughly synthesized. This meta-analysis aims to integrate the prevalence and associated factors of radiation-induced oral mucositis among HNC patients. METHODS: This study searched the following electronic databases: PubMed, the Cochrane Database, the Web of Science, EMBASE, CNKI, the Wanfang Database, and the VIP Database. The publication timeframe for the included studies ranged from January 2005 until January 2024. Two investigators used the NOS scale and AHRQ evaluation criteria for quality evaluation. All qualified studies and statistical analyses were conducted using RevMan 5.2 and Stata 17.0. RESULTS: Thirty eligible studies were included in the analysis. The results show that the prevalence of radiation-induced oral mucositis in HNC patients was 94% [95% CI (89%, 98%)]. Furthermore, the prevalence of severe radiation-induced oral mucositis in HNC patients is 37% [95%CI (29%, 45%)]. Chemotherapy, smoking history, diabetes, oral PH ≤ 7.0, and alcohol consumption are the main risk factors for radioactive oral mucositis. In addition, BMI > 24.0 kg/m2, no use of antibiotics, and no use of oral mucosal protective agents are associated with radioactive oral mucositis. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis underscores a significantly high prevalence of radiation-induced oral mucositis in HNC patients. Establishing healthy lifestyle habits and maintaining a healthy oral environment are pivotal in preventing radiation-induced oral mucositis.

Effects of Curcumin on Radiation/Chemotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis: Combined Meta-Analysis, Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, and Molecular Dynamics Simulation.

The study aims to investigate the effects of curcumin on radiation/chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis (R/CIOM) and preliminarily explore its mechanism. Randomized controlled trials were identified from the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Medline, and Google Scholar databases. RevMan 5.4 was used for statistical analysis to calculate the combined risk ratios (RRs). The mechanism was analyzed through network pharmacology, molecular docking, and a molecular dynamics simulation. The targets of curcumin were collected in HERB, PharmMapper, Targetnet, Swiss Target Prediction, and SuperPred. OMIM, GeneCards, and Disgenet were used to collect relevant targets for R/CIOM. Cytoscape software 3.8.0 was used to construct the component-target-pathway network. Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) networks were constructed using the STRING database. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed by Metascape. AutoDock Vina 4.2 software was used for molecular docking. The molecular dynamics simulation was performed by Gromacs v2022.03. It is found that 12 studies involving 565 patients were included. Meta-analyses showed that curcumin reduced the incidence of severe R/CIOM (RR 0.42 [0.24, 0.75]) and the mean severity of R/CIOM (MD -0.93 [-1.34, -0.52]). Eleven core target genes were identified in the treatment of R/CIOM with curcumin. The results of molecular docking and the molecular dynamics simulation showed that curcumin had strong binding energy and stability with target proteins including MAPK3, SRC, and TNF. Overall, these findings suggest curcumin can effectively improve severe R/CIOM, perhaps by affecting MAPK3, SRC, and TNF.

In situ gel-forming oil solubilizing α-lipoic acid as a physical shielding alleviated chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis via inhibiting oxidative stress.

Oral mucositis (OM) is a common and serious complication of cancer chemoradiotherapy. OM managements mainly focused on topical healthcare or analgesia, which offers limited wound healing. Herein, in situ gel-forming oil (LGF) have been developed as a physical shielding for OM treatment. LGF oil, composed of soybean phosphatidyl choline (40 %, w/w), glycerol dioleate (54 %, w/w), and alcohols (6 %, w/w), is a viscous oil-like liquid. The contact angle of LGF oil on porcine buccal mucosa were 30°, significantly smaller than that of water (60°), indicating its good wetting and spreading properties. Besides, the adhesion force and adhesion energy of LGF oil toward porcine buccal mucosa was as high as 3.9 ± 0.2 N and 60 ± 2 J/m2, respectively, indicating its good adhesive property. Moreover, the hydrophobic α-lipoic acid (LA) as a native antioxidative agent was highly solubilized in LGF oil, its solubility in which was above 100 mg/mL. Upon contacting with saliva, LA-loaded LGF oil (LA-LGF) could rapidly transform from oil into gel that adheres on oral mucosa. Moreover, LA was slowly released from the formed LA-LGF gel, which benefited alleviating oxidative stress caused by chemoradiotherapy. In vivo animal experiments showed that LA-LGF could effectively promote the repairing of oral mucosa wound of 5-fluorouracil induced OM rats. Besides, the mucosa edema was greatly improved and new granulation around wound was produced after LA-LGF treatment. Meanwhile, the production of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1ß, TNF-α, 1L-6 was substantially inhibited by LA-LGF. Collectively, LGF oil as carrier of hydrophobic drug might be a promising strategy for oral mucositis.

Photobiomodulation therapy on chemo- and radiotherapy induced oral conditions: an umbrella review.

OBJECTIVES: Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a laser-based therapy used to promote tissue repair, reduce inflammation and pain, and has been extensively studied in chemo- and radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis (OM). This review examines the level of evidence of systematic reviews (SRs) that have investigated PBM in such cases of OM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SRs evaluating PBM for both the treatment and prevention of OM in patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy and published before November 30, 2023, on PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science, LILACS, TRIP and Open Grey databases were eligible for inclusion. We assessed the level of methodological and meta-analytic procedures. RESULTS: Of the 1201 SRs, 21 that met the inclusion criteria were included. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Assessing the Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR2), and the majority was of critically low quality (n = 15, 71.4%) with only 28.5% of low quality. A total of 40 meta-analytic estimates were obtained and analyzed. Approximately 87.5% of the meta-analysis were significant (n = 33), but only one meta-analyses had a strength of "highly suggestive", while the rest were classified as "weak". When analyzing the overlap values, the covered area was 12.14% and the corrected covered area was 7.75%, indicating a moderate overlap. Only 4 SRs had a very high overlap and one had a high overlap. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of PBM in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced OM is supported by low to critically low quality SRs and meta-analysis of low strength. This review highlights important areas that need to be addressed in future research on this topic. REGISTRATION: CRD42023484013 (PROSPERO).

Analysis of factors related to radiation-induced oral mucositis in patients with head and neck tumors undergoing radiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the risk factors of radiation-induced oral mucositis (RIOM) in patients with head and neck tumors undergoing radiotherapy. METHODS: A retrospective collection was conducted on patients with head and neck tumors who underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy in our hospital from April 1, 2015 to April 1, 2019. They were divided into an incidence group (n = 48) and a non-incidence group (n = 76) based on whether RIOM occurred, and relevant data was collected for comparison. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between the two groups of patients in terms of tumor type, smoking percentage, education level percentage, tumor stage, oral mucosal inflammation stage, radiotherapy dose, mucosal protectants, and oral hygiene condition(P < 0.05); The regression analysis results showed that smoking (OR=1.274, 95 % CI: 1.095-2.007), high-dose radiotherapy (OR=1.223, 95 % CI: 1.098-2.077), and poor oral hygiene (OR=1.367, 95 % CI: 1.024-2.890) were risk factors for RIOM. CONCLUSION: Smoking, high-dose radiotherapy, and poor oral hygiene were risk factors for RIOM in head and neck patients after radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Association between salivary inflammatory mediators and oral mucositis in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: Oral mucositis is a severe adverse event in patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy that may lead to the termination of cancer treatment. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between salivary inflammatory mediators and oral mucositis in patients undergoing chemotherapy. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 167 patients who underwent chemotherapy at our institution between June 2020 and November 2023. We evaluated the association between chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis and salivary inflammatory mediators using multiple comparison tests and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Of the 167 patients, 67 (40.1%) had oral mucositis. Dunn's multiple comparison test revealed that interleukin-6 was significantly higher in oral mucositis of grades 2 and ≥ 3 (P < 0.01) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α was significantly higher in oral mucositis of grades 3-4 (P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of oral mucositis was significantly higher for tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α > 4.4 pg/mL than for TNF-α ≤ 4.4 pg/mL (adjusted odds ratio, 2.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-5.3; P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Saliva is useful in evaluating inflammation in patients with chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis. Furthermore, TNF-α may be a predictive marker for the severity of oral mucositis in patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Oral mucositis management with photobiomodulation, Bidens pilosa L. (Asteraceae) and Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae), the FITOPROT herbal medicine, and its influence on inflammatory cytokine levels: a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: This randomized clinical trial aimed to compare the effects of a mucoadhesive formula, containing curcuminoids from Curcuma longa L. and glycerinated extract of Bidens pilosa L. (FITOPROT), associated with photobiomodulation (PBM), and of PBM exclusively, on the incidence of oral mucositis (OM)-induced by radiotherapy (RT) in the head and neck region, and the salivary expression of inflammatory cytokines, in patients with head neck cancer. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned into two intervention groups-FITOPROT + PBM (n = 25) or PBM (n = 27). PBM protocol comprised a wavelength of 660 nm, 25 mW, 0.25 J/point, and daily irradiation from the first until the last day of RT. FITOPROT was gargled twice a day. All patients underwent a preventive oral care program throughout the study. OM degree, salivary concentration of nitrite, and inflammatory (IL-1, TNFα, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-12p70), and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines were assessed at baseline, and at the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 30th RT sessions. RESULTS: There were no differences in the OM degree between groups, but the RT dose significantly affected the OM. The RT significantly affected the salivary nitrite, TNFα, IL-1ß, and IL-10 concentrations. CONCLUSION: FITOPROT associated with PBM showed limited effects on preventing the incidence of severe OM compared to PBM alone. However, FITOPROT + PBM may be associated with nitrite and cytokine balance, which may contribute to the occurrence of fewer cases of severe OM. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Brazilian Clinical Trials database (ReBEC; RBR-9vddmr), registered UTN code: U1111-1193-2066, registered in August 8th, 2017.

Jingzhi Niuhuangjiedu Tablet Ameliorates Oral Mucositis via the AKT/NFκB/NLRP3 Signaling Pathway: A Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation.

BACKGROUND: Oral Mucositis (OM) is a common and highly symptomatic complication of cancer therapy that affects patient function and quality of life. Jingzhi Niuhuangjiedu Tablet (JNT) is derived from the famous Chinese herbal formulas Huanglian Jiedu and Fangfeng Tongsheng decoctions, which have been widely used to treat heat toxin syndrome diseases, such as acute pharyngitis, periodontitis, oral ulcers, and oral mucositis (OM), but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study validated the efficacy and explored the potential mechanisms of JNT in the treatment of OM by integrating network pharmacological analyses and experimental verification. METHODS: Network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques were used to predict the active components, key targets, and potential mechanisms of action of JNT against OM. The rat OM model was established by administering 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and acetic acid to the rat oral mucosa. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) were used as an inflammatory cell model. The GFP-NFκB HEK293T cell line was transfected to evaluate the anti-NFκB activity of JNT. RESULTS: A total of 236 Chinese herbal components and 201 corresponding targets were predicted for OM treatment using JNT. Bicuculine, luteolin, wogonin, and naringenin were identified as the important active compounds, while AKT1, ALB, IL6, MAPK3, and VEGFA were considered to be the major targets. Molecular docking revealed that these active compounds exhibited strong binding interactions with their targets. In vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that the anti-OM effect of JNT might be closely related to AKT1, NFκB, caspase-1, and NLRP3, as well as biological processes, such as inflammatory response and oxidative stress. CONCLUSION: Network pharmacological and experimental evidence indicates that JNT has a potential therapeutic effect on OM by regulating the Akt/NFκB/NLRP3 pathway.

Knowledge, attitudes, barriers and practices concerning cancer therapy-associated oral mucositis amongst oncology nurses: A mixed methods systematic review.

Objectives: To evaluate oncology nurses' knowledge, attitudes, barriers and practices regarding the prevention and management of cancer therapy-associated oral mucositis. Methods: A systematic review was conducted by â€‹mixed-methods; searches were conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed for the systematic review. Searched relevant literature â€‹published in English between January 2000 and December 2023. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to evaluate the quality of the studies. Results: A total of 15 studies were included: 10 cross-sectional studies, 4 non-randomized controlled trials, and one qualitative study. This review provides an overview of the studies: nurses had limited knowledge of cancer therapy-associated oral mucositis; generally positive attitudes towards oral care; there is a slight difference in oral care practices. The main barriers of nurses' prevention and management of cancer therapy-associated oral mucositis were lack of time, lack of knowledge, and lack of staff. Conclusions: Our results highlight the importance of training for oncology nurses regarding the management of cancer therapy-associated oral mucositis. It is suggested that oncology nurses should focus on strengthening and continuing education in oral care, adopting evidence-based practice and evaluation systems, implementing institution-specific written standards for oral care protocols, and promoting multidisciplinary team cooperation.

Enhancing Standardized Practices for Oral Mucositis Prevention in Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Best Practice Implementation Project.

Background: Oral mucositis (OM) poses a significant challenge in children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). There is a gap between clinical practice and the evidence, and nursing practices is not standardized. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of applying the evidence for preventing HSCT chemotherapy-induced OM in children and to elevate the nurses' compliance to the evidence. Methods: Following the clinical evidence practice application model of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) evidence-Based Care Center. The process included reviewing literature, extracting evidence, identifying gaps, developing audit criteria, conducting a baseline audit, creating an action plan, implementing evidence-based interventions, and assessing outcomes. Results: After the evidence implementation, 6 out of 12 audit criteria with poor compliance are significantly improved, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The incidence of OM decreases, with a statistically significant difference (66.6% vs 36.7%, P=0.02). The incidence of grade I, II, III, and IV OM also decreases (30% vs 23.3%, 23.3% vs 13.4%, 10% vs 0%, and 3.3% vs 0%). Ultimately, the standardized oral care practice routine and workflows to prevent OM were established. Conclusion: Bridging the gap between evidence and clinical practice can standardize nurse behavior, decrease the incidence of OM, and lower the OM severity in children undergoing HSCT.

Effective Treatment of Methotrexate Induced Oral Mucositis With a Morphine Mouthwash Solution: A Case Report.

Introduction: Methotrexate (MTX) is a common medication used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MTX inhibits rapid cell turnover throughout the body which can lead to significant side effects. Patients who present with oral lesions may have suffered severe acute toxicity from MTX. Supportive pain treatment includes magic mouthwash solution and/or oral viscous lidocaine to manage pain and allow for healing. We report a case of MTX induced oral mucositis that did not respond to magic mouthwash but did improve with a morphine mouthwash solution. Case: A 67-year-old female with RA presented with worsening oral lesions over 2 weeks. She reported non-compliance with folic acid for 2 weeks while on MTX. Physical exam revealed ulcerating oral lesions on the mucous membranes consistent with mucositis. Pain treatment was initiated with magic mouthwash, but her pain was not well controlled after 24 hours, and still unable to swallow. An oral morphine mouthwash solution was initiated, and patient reported improved pain control over the next 48 hours. She was on the morphine mouthwash for 6 days during which improvement in the lesions was noted. Discussion: Pain management is imperative for oral mucositis. When traditional therapies do not provide adequate control, morphine mouthwash can be considered. It is a safer alternative to systemic opioids and topical opioids may influence cell proliferation and migration, which can positively impact healing of oral lesions. Conclusion: A morphine mouthwash solution can provide effective pain management for oral mucositis lesions in patients who do not respond adequately to magic mouthwash.

Nuclear Receptors and Stress Response Pathways Associated with the Development of Oral Mucositis Induced by Antineoplastic Agents.

Oral mucositis (OM) is one of the common adverse events associated with cancer treatment that decreases the quality of life and affects treatment outcomes. However, the medications used to manage OM are generally only palliative, and our knowledge of the syndrome is limited. The etiology of the syndrome is thought to be complex and multifactorial. We investigated the trends and characteristics of OM and estimated molecular initiating events (MIEs) associated with the development of the syndrome using the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System. The study of trends and characteristics suggested that OM is significantly more likely to occur in females and nonelderly patients and is likely to be induced by protein kinase inhibitors such as afatinib and everolimus. Next, we used Toxicity Predictor, an in-house quantitative structure-activity relationship system, to estimate OM-associated MIEs. The results revealed that the agonist activity of the human pregnane X receptor, thyroid-stimulating hormone-releasing hormone receptor, and androgen receptor may be associated with OM development. Our study findings are expected to help avoid the risk of OM induction during the drug discovery process and clinical use of antineoplastic agents.

A longitudinal assessment of major mouthwashes used in alleviating pain and xerostomia among advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients receiving chemoradiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: This longitudinal study aimed to evaluate the overall efficacy of mouthwashes in oral mucositis pain and mucositis xerostomia in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) at different phases throughout treatment. METHODS: A longitudinal study enrolled 79 advanced NPC subjects receiving CCRT. The subjects were interviewed prospectively three times over 7 weeks for pain and xerostomia scores based on the various types of mouthwash used. The median pain score difference and median xerostomia score difference were utilised to determine mouthwash superiority. RESULTS: Participants completed three interviews, during which 480 instances of mouthwash use were observed throughout different phases of the treatment period. The results showed that the median pain scores between mouthwashes differed significantly, H-Stat(3) = 30.0, 25.7 and 26.0, respectively, with p < 0.001 for all three interviews. The pain score reductions of lidocaine mouthwash (median = 2, interquartile range (IQR) = 3, 2 and 2.75 over the three interviews, respectively) were significantly higher than those of benzydamine and sodium bicarbonate mouthwashes. There were no significant differences between the studied mouthwashes in their xerostomia score reductions. CONCLUSIONS: Lidocaine mouthwash was superior in managing oral mucositis pain at all phases throughout the entire chemoradiotherapy treatment for advanced NPC patients. There was insufficient evidence to determine the preferred mouthwash for treating oral mucositis xerostomia.

Patient education resources for oral mucositis: a google search and ChatGPT analysis.

PURPOSE: Oral mucositis affects 90% of patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation for head and neck malignancies. Many patients use the internet to learn about their condition and treatments; however, the quality of online resources is not guaranteed. Our objective was to determine the most common Google searches related to "oral mucositis" and assess the quality and readability of available resources compared to ChatGPT-generated responses. METHODS: Data related to Google searches for "oral mucositis" were analyzed. People Also Ask (PAA) questions (generated by Google) related to searches for "oral mucositis" were documented. Google resources were rated on quality, understandability, ease of reading, and reading grade level using the Journal of the American Medical Association benchmark criteria, Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool, Flesch Reading Ease Score, and Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level, respectively. ChatGPT-generated responses to the most popular PAA questions were rated using identical metrics. RESULTS: Google search popularity for "oral mucositis" has significantly increased since 2004. 78% of the Google resources answered the associated PAA question, and 6% met the criteria for universal readability. 100% of the ChatGPT-generated responses answered the prompt, and 20% met the criteria for universal readability when asked to write for the appropriate audience. CONCLUSION: Most resources provided by Google do not meet the criteria for universal readability. When prompted specifically, ChatGPT-generated responses were consistently more readable than Google resources. After verification of accuracy by healthcare professionals, ChatGPT could be a reasonable alternative to generate universally readable patient education resources.

The effect of probiotics on severe oral mucositis in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy: A meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Oral mucositis is a frequent adverse reaction in cancer treatment. Probiotics exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties that could prevent the occurrence of severe oral mucositis (SOM) induced by chemotherapy or radiation therapy in patients. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the influence of probiotics on the incidence of SOM in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive search in PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) from their inception to September 2023. Dichotomous variables are analyzed with odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs, and statistical significance was set at a two-tailed P <0 .05. The primary outcome indicator was the effect of probiotics on SOM. Secondary outcome indicators included the effect of probiotics on oral mucositis and the ratio of diarrhoea. Statistical analysis was conducted using RevMan (5.4) and Stata 17.0 software. RESULTS: The study included a total of 12 articles and involved 1055 patients. All patients had undergone either radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Our findings revealed that the experimental group, which received probiotics for treatment, exhibited a lower ratio of SOM compared to the control group that received traditional placebo treatment (OR=0.37, 95%CI [0.28, 0.50], P<0.01). Subgroup analysis revealed variations in the ratio of SOM based on therapeutic regimen, tumor type, and region. The overall ratio of oral mucositis was significantly lower in the experimental group compared to the control group (OR=0.19, 95%CI [0.09-0.39], P<0.01). The ratio of diarrhea in the two patient groups showed no significant difference (OR=0.85, 95%CI [0.24, 3.01], P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this meta-analysis suggest that probiotics could decrease the occurrence of SOM.

Interconnected influences of tumour and host microbiota on treatment response and side effects in nasopharyngeal cancer.

This study elucidates the intricate relationship between nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a significant malignancy predominant in Asia with notable global incidence and mortality rates, and the host microbiota, including those of tumour, nasal, nasopharyngeal, oral, oropharyngeal, and gut communities. It underscores how the composition and diversity of microbiota are altered in NPC, delving into their implications for disease pathogenesis, treatment response, and the side effects of therapies. A consistent reduction in alpha diversity across oral, nasal, and gut microbiomes in NPC patients compared to healthy individuals signals a distinct microbial signature indicative of the diseased state. The study also shows unique microbial changes tied to different NPC stages, indicating a dynamic interplay between disease progression and microbiota composition. Patients with specific microbial profiles exhibit varied responses to chemotherapy and immunotherapy, underscoring the potential for treatment personalisation based on microbiota analysis. Furthermore, the side effects of NPC treatments, such as oral mucositis, are intensified by shifts in microbial communities, suggesting a direct link between microbiota composition and treatment tolerance. This nexus offers opportunities for interventions aimed at modulating the microbiota to alleviate side effects, improve quality of life, and potentially enhance treatment efficacy. Highlighting the dual potential of microbiota as both a therapeutic target and a biomarker for NPC, this review emphasises its significance in influencing treatment outcomes and side effects, heralding a new era in NPC management through personalised treatment strategies and innovative approaches.

Evaluation of oral mucositis level and affecting factors in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the severity of oral mucositis and the contributing factors among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. METHODS: This study was planned cross-sectional. The study was conducted at a medical oncology clinic between January and July 2022. The sample consisted of 245 patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy. Data were collected using a personal, oral health and disease-related characteristics questionnaire and the World Health Organization Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale by researchers. Intraoral examination of the patients was carried out by researchers. The data were analyzed by independent-sample t-tests, Chi-square tests, paired-sample t-tests, and multivariate logistic regression (p < 0,05). RESULTS: The patients had mean age 62.31 ± 10.70. Patients of 32.7% were with lung cancer. 52%of the patients (n = 128) receiving chemotherapy developed oral mucositis. The independent variables the presence chronic disease(OR:1.85), chemotherapy protocol (OR:3.52) and the dependent variables ECOG performance score (OR:2.25) were variable that affected the development of oral mucositis (p < 0.05). Patients of 35.5% were oral mucositis score of 1. Patients those who had breast cancer, who received doxorubicin or cyclophosphamide chemotherapy protocols, and who had previously developed oral mucositis were found to have a higher rate of oral mucositis (p < 0.05). In addition, oral mucositis was more prevalent in patients with chronic diseases other than cancer (57%), those who used medication continuously (57.2%), those with oral and dental diseases (56.9%), those who had dental check-ups before cancer treatment (79.2%), and those who had information about oral mucositis(70.2%) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, nearly half of the patients (52%, n = 128) receiving chemotherapy developed oral mucositis and of all patients of 35.5% had an oral mucositis score of 1 in the second round of chemotherapy. Patients those who had breast cancer, who received doxorubicin or cyclophosphamide chemotherapy protocols, and who had previously developed oral mucositis were found to have a higher rate of oral mucositis.

Melatonin as a preventive treatment of tongue mucosa alterations in an animal model of orofacial radiation

Objective: To evaluate the effect of melatonin as a protective treatment for the tongue in irradiated rats. Materials and Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to a single session of 50 Gy radiation and treated with melatonin 30 minutes before and after the radiotherapy session. A clinical evaluation was carried out a week and a half, third- and sixth-week post-treatment; finally, a tongue biopsy was taken for a histopathological study in the third and sixth weeks after radiation. Results: Clinical evaluation shows a clear trend, that preventive administration of melatonin could facilitate the recovery of mucosal tissue after radiation. Additionally, cellular infiltrate was 40% fewer in the melatonin-treated group compared to the control, as well as the number of the congested vessel were fewer. Conclusion: These findings showed for the first time the preventive role of melatonin in the tongue mucosa reducing the changes associated with mucositis, inflammatory infiltrate, and congestive blood vessels.