Revolutionizing oral mucositis treatment: Antibacterial light-activated therapy in future protocols - Dentistry IQ

Dr. Waltimo emphasizes that good oral care can prevent infection complications, which cancer patients are more susceptible to given their increased risk for diseases. Maintaining oral health is essential for cancer patients, as the mouth is the primary source of routine bacterial seeding in the body. Mucous membranes, teeth, and gums must be kept in impeccable condition through daily effective oral hygiene.

According to Dr. Mauramo, antibacterial treatment can influence the inflammatory process and induce an anti-inflammatory effect. Additionally, antibacterial dual-light therapy can complement traditional bactericidal treatments.

Professor Waltimo suggests that antibacterial dual-light therapy could potentially serve as a preventive measure to support the oral health of cancer patients before initiation of cancer treatments.

Preliminary observations suggest that antibacterial dual light therapy such as Lumoral (not yet available in the US) might be an important tool in the armory for oral mucositis treatment. Confirmation studies shall be set up to further investigate the effectiveness of the novel approach, and Dr. Waltimo says a new doctoral dissertation study will commence at the University of Helsinki in the spring of 2024.

Editor's note: This article first appeared in Clinical Insights newsletter, a publication of the Endeavor Business Media Dental Group. Read more articles and subscribe.

References

1. Brown TJ, Gupta A. Management of cancer therapy-associated oral mucositis. JCO Oncol Pract. 2020;16(3):103-109. doi:10.1200/JOP.19.00652
2. Al-Rudayni AHM, Gopinath D, Maharajan MK, Veettil SK, Menon RK. Efficacy of oral cryotherapy in the prevention of oral mucositis associated with cancer chemotherapy: systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis. Curr Oncol. 2021;28(4):2852-2867. doi:10.3390/curroncol28040250
3. Hentilä J. Bachelor of Medicine thesis: Oral mucositis – antibacterial dual light in the treatment of oral mucositis. University of Helsinki, Faculty of Medicine. October 22, 2023.
4. Rapone B, Nardi GM, DDI Venere D, Pettini F, Grassi FR, Corsalini M. Oral hygiene in patients with oral cancer undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy after prosthesis rehabilitation: protocol proposal. Oral Implantol (Rome). 2017;9(Suppl 1/2016 to N 4/2016):90-97. doi:10.11138/orl/2016.9.1S.090

Other sources

• Cancer treatments and oral health. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Reviewed March 2023. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/cancer-treatments
• Gholami L, Shahabi S, Jazaeri M, Hadilou M, Fekrazad R. Clinical applications of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy in dentistry. Front Microbiol. 2023;13:1020995. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2022.1020995

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More about Dr. Maurama

Matti Mauramo, DDS, MD, has been working since 2004 in both public and private sectors, including specialized health-care settings such as the Oral Specialized Care Unit in the City of Helsinki and at the University of Basel in Switzerland. Currently, Dr. Mauramo works as a specialized physician (pathology, HUSLAB), a clinical instructor in medicine, and conducts research on oral diseases in patients with blood cancers.

More about Dr. Tuomas Waltimo

Professor Waltimo is a clinical university professor specializing in oral health and medicine. He holds qualifications in prevention, operative dentistry, and experimental microbiology, with expertise in clinical dentistry. He is proficient in in vitro, clinical, and epidemiological research, and he has a proven track record in diverse clinical and research environments. Dr. Waltimo is internationally recognized as a clinician and scientist, particularly in the field of supportive cancer care.

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Nina Garlo-Melkas, MSc, is a health and science journalist who works as communications manager at Koite Health Ltd., a quickly growing health technology company and innovator in light-activated antibacterial solutions for treating and preventing oral diseases.

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