Oral mucosal toxicities in oncology

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Oral Medicine
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Oral mucosal toxicities are significant complications of cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and targeted agents.
• These toxicities can manifest as oral mucositis, stomatitis, immune-related adverse events, and drug-induced lesions, leading to morbidity and compromising cancer treatment.
• The increasing prevalence of novel cancer therapies necessitates a thorough understanding of these adverse events.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathobiology, and current management strategies for oral mucosal toxicities associated with cancer therapies.
• To highlight the challenges in managing these toxicities in the context of evolving cancer treatment landscapes.
• To emphasize the need for precision medicine approaches and rigorous clinical testing of interventions.

Main Methods:

• This review synthesizes information from existing literature on oral mucosal toxicities.
• It discusses epidemiological data, clinical manifestations, underlying pathobiology, and current therapeutic interventions.
• The review also considers the impact of novel cancer therapies on the incidence and management of these toxicities.

Main Results:

• Oral mucosal toxicities are diverse and increasingly common with novel cancer treatments.
• Understanding the pathobiology is leading to new therapeutic strategies.
• Variability in patient response highlights the need for personalized treatment approaches.

Conclusions:

• Effective management of oral mucosal toxicities is crucial for maintaining cancer treatment integrity and improving patient quality of life.
• Further research and standardization of clinical trials are essential for refining preventive and therapeutic strategies.
• Precision medicine holds promise for tailoring treatments to individual patient profiles, optimizing both cancer treatment and toxicity management.