Effect of low-level laser therapy on inflammatory mediator release during chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis: a randomized preliminary study

Lasers Med Sci. 2015 Jan;30(1):117-26. doi: 10.1007/s10103-014-1624-2. Epub 2014 Jul 19.

Abstract

Patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are submitted to a conditioning regimen of high-dose chemotherapy, with or without radiation therapy, which usually results in oral ulcerations and mucosal barrier breakdown. Oral mucositis (OM) is a common and debilitating toxicity side effect of autologous and allogeneic HSCT. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the severity of OM and inflammatory mediator (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-10, TGF-β, metalloproteinases, and growth factors) levels in saliva and blood of HSCT patients. Thirty patients were randomly assigned to two groups: control (n = 15) and laser (n = 15). LLLT was applied from the first day of the conditioning regimen until day 7 post-HSCT (D + 7). Saliva and blood were collected from patients on admission (AD), D-1, D + 3, D + 7, and on marrow engraftment day (ME). Clinical results showed less severe OM in the laser group (p < 0.05). The LLLT group showed increased matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) levels in saliva on D + 7 (p = 0.04). Significant differences were also observed for IL-10 on D + 7 and on ME in blood plasma, when compared to the control group (p < 0.05). No significant differences were seen in saliva or blood for the other inflammatory mediators investigated. LLLT was clinically effective in reducing the severity of chemotherapy-induced OM in HSCT patients, and its mechanism of action does not seem to be completely linked to the modulation of pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokines, growth factors or matrix metalloproteinases.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Interleukin-10 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Lasers, Semiconductor / therapeutic use*
  • Leukemia / therapy
  • Low-Level Light Therapy*
  • Lymphoma / therapy
  • Male
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / metabolism
  • Middle Aged
  • Myeloablative Agonists / adverse effects
  • Saliva / enzymology
  • Stomatitis / chemically induced
  • Stomatitis / metabolism
  • Stomatitis / radiotherapy*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism
  • Transplantation Conditioning / adverse effects*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • IL10 protein, human
  • IL6 protein, human
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Interleukin-6
  • Myeloablative Agonists
  • TNF protein, human
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Interleukin-10
  • MMP2 protein, human
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2