title: Pharmacotherapy for the management of cancer regimen-related oral mucositis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oral mucositis is a frequent and devastating toxicity secondary to cancer treatment, which may affect 20-40% of patients receiving conventional chemotherapy and 60-85% of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The pathobiology of mucositis includes a complex cascade of biologic events in which pro-inflammatory cytokines, ROS, second messengers, and the oral microbiome contribute to tissue damage of the oral mucosa. Management strategies to oral mucositis secondary to chemotherapy include preventative measures and therapeutic approaches.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search of published animal and clinical studies was perform to review the epidemiology, pathophysiology and treatment options for cancer regimen-induced mucositis. We also discuss new data coming from recent pertinent clinical trials.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mucositis is one of the most common debilitating toxicities secondary to cancer treatment and can adversely affect patients' quality of life. Epidemiological data for mucositis are often under-reported. Research efforts have shown that genetics plays a major role in the development of this toxicity. Although few therapeutic agents are available, several promising drugs are under investigations.
authors.affiliation: a Division of Oral Medicine and Dentistry , Brigham and Women's Hospital , Boston , MA , USA.|b Department of Oral Medicine, Infection and Immunity , Harvard School of Dental Medicine , Boston , MA , USA.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Villa
authors.affiliation: a Division of Oral Medicine and Dentistry , Brigham and Women's Hospital , Boston , MA , USA.|b Department of Oral Medicine, Infection and Immunity , Harvard School of Dental Medicine , Boston , MA , USA.|c Biomodels, LLC , Watertown , MA , USA.
authors.forename: Stephen T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Sonis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016207:Cytokines
keywords: Oral mucositis; chemotherapy; toxicity