Efficacy of low-level laser therapy and aluminum hydroxide in patients with chemotherapy and radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis.

This study evaluated the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and aluminum hydroxide (AH) in the prevention of oral mucositis (OM). A prospective, comparative and non-randomized study was conducted with 25 patients with head and neck cancer subjected to radiotherapy (RT) or radiochemotherapy (RCT). Twelve patients received LLLT (830 nm, 15 mW, 12 J/cm²) daily from the 1st day until the end of RT before each sessions during 5 consecutive days, and the other 13 patients received AH 310 mg/5 mL, 4 times/day, also throughout the duration of RT, including weekends.

Oral mucositis prevention by low-level laser therapy in head-and-neck cancer patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy: a phase III randomized study.

Purpose: Oral mucositis is a major complication of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in head-and-neck cancer patients. Low-level laser (LLL) therapy is a promising preventive therapy. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of LLL therapy to decrease severe oral mucositis and its effect on RT interruptions.

Evaluation, prevention and management of radiotherapy-induced xerostomia in head and neck cancer patients.

Purpose Of Review: As part of the multidisciplinary approach to head and neck cancer patients, radiation therapy plays an essential role, improving locoregional control. Radiation therapy-induced xerostomia is a late side-effect that increases the risk for developing dental caries and compromises oral mucosal integrity, resulting in oral pain, loss of taste, difficulties with swallowing and chewing, sleep disorders and worse quality of life. This review focuses on evaluation, prevention and management of radiation therapy-induced xerostomia.

Overexpression of Fos-related antigen-1 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

The activating protein-1 (AP-1) family of transcription factors has been implicated in the control of proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes, but its role in malignant transformation is not clear. The aim of this study is to assess the pattern of mRNA expression of jun-fos AP-1 family members in 45 samples of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) and matched adjacent mucosa by means of Northern blot analysis. Transcripts of all family members were identified, except for JunB that was detected only by means of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Large-scale transcriptome analyses reveal new genetic marker candidates of head, neck, and thyroid cancer.

A detailed genome mapping analysis of 213,636 expressed sequence tags (EST) derived from nontumor and tumor tissues of the oral cavity, larynx, pharynx, and thyroid was done. Transcripts matching known human genes were identified; potential new splice variants were flagged and subjected to manual curation, pointing to 788 putatively new alternative splicing isoforms, the majority (75%) being insertion events. A subset of 34 new splicing isoforms (5% of 788 events) was selected and 23 (68%) were confirmed by reverse transcription-PCR and DNA sequencing.

Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1) expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients as related to prognosis.

Background: Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1) is a negative growth regulator in keratinocytes, and in vitro studies lead to the concept that loss of TGFbeta1 responsiveness is a critical step in epithelial carcinogenesis.

Objective: To investigate the prognostic relevance of TGFbeta1 expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Materials And Methods: TGFbeta1 distribution was determined by immunohistochemistry in oral cavity/oropharynx (n = 79), larynx (n = 36) and hypopharynx (n = 25) tumors and in matched normal adjacent mucosa.