Jolien Robijns1, Joy Lodewijckx2, Stefan Claes3, Leen Van Bever3, Luc Pannekoeke3, Sandrine Censabella3, Lore Bussé2, Dora Colson2, Iris Kaminski2, Victoria Broux2, Sofie Puts2, Sofie Vanmechelen2, An Timmermans4, Leen Noé3, Paul Bulens3, Mieke Govers5, Annelies Maes6, Jeroen Mebis7. 1. Hasselt University, Faculty of Medicine & Life Sciences, LCRC, Hasselt, Belgium. Electronic address: jolien.robijns@uhasselt.be. 2. Hasselt University, Faculty of Medicine & Life Sciences, LCRC, Hasselt, Belgium. 3. Limburg Oncology Center, Jessa Hospital - Campus Virga Jesse, Hasselt, Belgium. 4. Department of Dermatology, Jessa Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium. 5. Limburg Oncology Center, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, Genk, Belgium. 6. Limburg Oncology Center, Jessa Hospital - Campus Virga Jesse, Hasselt, Belgium; Limburg Oncology Center, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, Genk, Belgium. 7. Hasselt University, Faculty of Medicine & Life Sciences, LCRC, Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Medical Oncology, Jessa Hospital- Campus Virga Jesse, Hasselt, Belgium. Electronic address: Jeroen.mebis@jessazh.be.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) for the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomised, placebo-controlled trial (RCT) with 46 HNC patients who underwent radiotherapy (RT) with or without concomitant chemotherapy was set up (DERMISHEAD trial). Patients were randomised to receive PBM or placebo treatments from the first day of RT (2×/week) alongside the institutional skincare. The severity of skin reactions was assessed by the National Cancer Institute-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.03 (NCI-CTCAE v4.03) and the Radiotherapy-Induced Skin Reaction Assessment Scale (RISRAS). Quality of life (QoL) was evaluated using the Skindex-16 questionnaire. RESULTS: PBMT significantly reduced NCI-CTCAE grade 2-3 ARD with 49% at the end of RT. CONCLUSION: The results of the first RCT in HNC patients showed that PBMT is an effective method to prevent the development of severe ARD. These results support the implementation of PBM in the clinical oncology - radiotherapy practice.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) for the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomised, placebo-controlled trial (RCT) with 46 HNC patients who underwent radiotherapy (RT) with or without concomitant chemotherapy was set up (DERMISHEAD trial). Patients were randomised to receive PBM or placebo treatments from the first day of RT (2×/week) alongside the institutional skincare. The severity of skin reactions was assessed by the National Cancer Institute-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.03 (NCI-CTCAE v4.03) and the Radiotherapy-Induced Skin Reaction Assessment Scale (RISRAS). Quality of life (QoL) was evaluated using the Skindex-16 questionnaire. RESULTS: PBMT significantly reduced NCI-CTCAE grade 2-3 ARD with 49% at the end of RT. CONCLUSION: The results of the first RCT in HNC patients showed that PBMT is an effective method to prevent the development of severe ARD. These results support the implementation of PBM in the clinical oncology - radiotherapy practice.
Authors: Margherita Gobbo; Elisabetta Merigo; Praveen R Arany; René-Jean Bensadoun; Alan Roger Santos-Silva; Luiz Alcino Gueiros; Giulia Ottaviani Journal: Front Oral Health Date: 2022-07-07