Underexplored Areas of Photobiomodulation in Oral Oncology: An Expert Analysis.

This study aimed to review the current body of literature on underexplored areas of photobiomodulation (PBM) for preventing and/or treating oral adverse events. Recent studies suggest that PBM may offer potential benefits in managing cancer-related toxicities other than oral mucositis. Nevertheless, further research to establish conclusive evidence is still missing.

Guidance on mucositis assessment from the MASCC Mucositis Study Group and ISOO: an international Delphi study.

Background: Mucositis is a common and highly impactful side effect of conventional and emerging cancer therapy and thus the subject of intense investigation. Although common practice, mucositis assessment is heterogeneously adopted and poorly guided, impacting evidence synthesis and translation. The Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) Mucositis Study Group (MSG) therefore aimed to establish expert recommendations for how existing mucositis assessment tools should be used, in clinical care and trials contexts, to improve the consistency of mucositis assessment.

Cholesterol depletion induces mesenchymal properties in oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line.

Background: Cholesterol in cell membranes is crucial for cell signaling, adhesion, and migration. Membranes feature cholesterol-rich caveolae with caveolin proteins, playing roles in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer progression. Despite elevated cholesterol levels in tumors, its precise function and the effects of its depletion in oral squamous cell carcinoma remain unclear.

Twenty-year analysis of photobiomodulation clinical studies for oral mucositis: a scoping review.

Objective: Our objective was to review the first 20 years of photobiomodulation (PBM) clinical studies for oral mucositis (OM) mitigation.

Study Design: A scoping review screened controlled clinical studies. The PBM devices, protocols, and clinical outcomes were analyzed.

Direct costs associated with the management of mucositis: A systematic review.

Mucositis is one of the more frequent and costly adverse events following cancer treatment. To evaluate and report the direct economic outcomes associated with the management of mucositis across several cancer treatments we conducted a systematic review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Scopus, MEDLINE/PubMed, and Embase were searched electronically and a total of 37 relevant studies were included.

COVID-19 impact on anxiety and depression in head and neck cancer patients: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: To evaluate whether the coronavirus disease 2019 has increased anxiety, depression, and distress levels in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT).

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, RT-HNC patients were surveyed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) for anxiety and depression and the distress thermometer (DT) for distress. HADS scores were compared with data pre-COVID-19.

Cost-effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy for the prevention and management of cancer treatment toxicities: a systematic review.

Purpose: To identify and summarize the evidence on the cost-effectiveness of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy for the prevention and treatment of cancer treatment-related toxicities.

Methods: This systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement (PRISMA) and Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE). Scopus, MEDLINE/PubMed, and Embase were searched electronically.

Impact of pandemic COVID-19 outbreak on oral mucositis preventive and treatment protocols: new perspectives for extraoral photobiomodulation therapy.

This communication discusses the current challenges of oral mucositis (OM) management during the pandemic COVID-19 outbreak and reflects about an extraoral photobiomodulation protocol as an optimal alternative for preventing and treating OM in advanced cancer patients while minimizing the risk of infection by avoiding intraoral manipulation.

Is photobiomodulation therapy effective in reducing pain caused by toxicities related to head and neck cancer treatment? A systematic review.

Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) has been considered an effective method for preventing and managing certain cancer-related toxicities in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, the potential effects of PBMT on pain control and analgesia resulting from these toxicities is still controversial. The aim of this systematic review was to compile available evidence of the effects of PMBT on pain control and reduced use of analgesics in HNC patients.