Non-pharmacologic interventions for management of radiation-induced dry mouth: A systematic review

Potential predictive value of IVIM MR for xerostomia in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Xerostomia, caused by radiation-induced parotid damage, is the most commonly reported radiotherapy (RT) complication for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) MR in monitoring radiation-induced parotid gland damage and predicting the risk of xerostomia.

METHODS

Fifty-four NPC patients were enrolled and underwent at least three IVIM MR scans: before (pre-RT), after 5 fractions of (5th-RT), halfway through (mid-RT), and after RT (post-RT). The degree of xerostomia patients was assessed before each MR examination. Furthermore, the time when patients first reported xerostomia symptoms was recorded. The changes in IVIM parameters throughout RT, as well as the relationships between IVIM parameters and xerostomia, were analysed.

RESULT

All IVIM parameters increased significantly from pre-RT to post-RT (p < 0.001). The rates of D, D* and f increase increased significantly from pre-RT to mid-RT (p < 0.001), indicating that cell necrosis mainly occurs in the first half of RT. In multivariate analysis, N3 (p = 0.014), pre-D (p = 0.007) and pre-D* (p = 0.003) were independent factors influencing xerostomia. D and f were significantly higher at 5th-RT than at pre-RT (both p < 0.05). IVIM detected parotid gland injury at 5th-RT at an average scanning time of 6.18 ± 1.07 days, earlier than the 11.94 ± 2.61 days when the patient first complained of xerostomia according to the RTOG scale (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

IVIM MR can dynamically monitor radiation-induced parotid gland damage and assess it earlier and more objectively than RTOG toxicity. Moreover, IVIM can screen people at risk of more severe xerostomia early.

Oral Candida in post-radiotherapy patients with xerostomia/hyposalivation: A narrative review

OBJECTIVE

Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) patients receiving radiotherapy (RT) often suffer from xerostomia and/or hyposalivation. As saliva plays an important antimicrobial and cleansing roles, these patients are at higher risks of opportunistic infections. This narrative review aims to provide an overview of current evidence on oral Candida colonisation and infection in these patients.

METHODS

A literature review of clinical studies on oral Candida colonisation and candidiasis in HNC patients receiving radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy was conducted.

RESULTS

Many clinical studies found high levels of Candida colonisation and a substantial proportion of post-RT HNC patients suffering from oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC). Importantly, oral Candida could be a reservoir for life-threatening systemic infection in immunocompromised patients. The rising prevalence of non-albicans Candida species and drug-resistant infections has made identification of Candida species and antifungal susceptibility more important. Recent advances in oral microbiome and its interactions with Candida are discussed. This review also offers perspectives on limitations of current evidence and suggestions for future research.

CONCLUSION

Further research to better understand Candida carriage, microbiome, OPC, and xerostomia/hyposalivation post-RT would aid in devising a more comprehensive long-term management plan and novel therapeutic approaches for HNC patients to achieve the full benefits of RT while minimising side effects.

Efficacy of photobiomodulation therapy combined with mobile health education in patients with head and neck cancer suffering from chronic xerostomia after radiotherapy: protocol for a three-arm, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study

INTRODUCTION

The role of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy for oral tissue damage induced by cancer treatment is currently unclear, and there is low-quality to moderate-quality evidence supporting the use of this approach for treating xerostomia and/or hyposalivation. Consequently, patients with head and neck cancer increasingly turn to basic oral hygiene to alleviate salivary gland dysfunction, and their adherence can be improved by mobile health (mHealth) education. The primary objective of this study will be to analyse the effects of different doses of PBM therapy (7.5 J/cm2 vs 3 J/cm2) plus mHealth education on quality of life (QoL), oral health, salivary secretion and salivary gland ultrasound assessment at postintervention and at the 6-month follow-up in patients with head and neck cancer after radiotherapy compared with those in control group.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A prospective, three-arm, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study will be conducted among patients with head and neck cancer suffering from chronic xerostomia. A total of 20 patients per arm will be included and randomly assigned to receive 7.5 J/cm2 of PBM, 3 J/cm2 of PBM or placebo therapy. PBM therapy will be applied during 24 sessions at 22 points extra and intraorally two times per week for 3 months, combined with a mobile application (https://www.laxer.es). The assessments will be recorded at the beginning of the study, at postintervention and at the 6-month follow-up. The primary outcomes will be QoL, oral health, salivary secretion and salivary gland ultrasound. The pain pressure threshold, functional performance, mood and sleep quality will be secondary indicators.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study received ethics approval from the Andalusian Biomedical Research Ethics Portal (2402-N-21 CEIM/CEI Provincial de Granada) according to the Declaration of Helsinki for Biomedical Research. The results of this study will be presented at national and international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05106608.