Palifermin 6.25mg powder for solution for injection vials

Children undergoing antineoplastic treatment often present severe side effects due to the dosage and duration of treatments, with oral mucositis emerging as one of the most prevalent and painful inflammatory conditions. There is a growing body of evidence on therapeutic interventions such as cryotherapy, low-level laser therapy, and natural compounds for this condition. The aim of this systematic review was to identify and compare therapies for the management of cancer treatment-induced oral mucositis in pediatric patients. From 2655 articles obtained in initial searches, 39 articles were considered in this systematic review, after applying inclusion/exclusion criteria. Low-level laser therapy, palifermin, honey, and zinc demonstrated reductions in oral mucositis incidence, duration, severity, and pain reported by the patient. Although there are several therapies in place for the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis in children, evidence of their efficacy is still inconclusive to establish accurate clinical protocols.

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ObjectiveOral mucositis (OM) is a debilitating complication of cancer therapies, affecting up to 85% of patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation and nearly all receiving head and neck radiotherapy. Characterized by mucosal inflammation, ulceration, and severe pain, OM significantly impairs oral intake, speech, and quality of life. These disruptions, compounded by complications such as infection, bleeding, and increased healthcare costs, often necessitate treatment delays or modifications, negatively impacting cancer prognosis. Recent insights into nociceptive and neuropathic mechanisms of OM-related pain have led to the development of innovative management strategies. Given the debilitating nature of OM in cancer patients and the critical need for effective pain control, this review aims to examine pharmacological advancements targeting the complex nature of OM-related pain, including agents such as lidocaine, doxepin, benzydamine, methylene blue, opioids, gabapentin, palifermin, caphosol, and ketamine.MethodsA literature search was conducted in the PUBMED, COCHRANE, and MEDLINE databases, covering studies from 2000 to 2024. Studies focusing on OM pathogenesis and pain management strategies were screened. Inclusion criteria encompassed randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews involving adult patients treated with lidocaine, doxepin, benzydamine, methylene blue, opioids, gabapentin, palifermin, caphosol, or ketamine for OM-associated pain.ConclusionOM pain arises from nociceptive and neuropathic pathways involving inflammatory cytokines and neuropeptides. Current interventions, including topical and systemic agents, have shown promise, yet variability in treatment protocols and limited high-quality evidence hinder standardized practices. This review highlights the clinical applicability of emerging therapies, such as avasopasem manganese, which has demonstrated efficacy in mitigating OM progression. Ongoing clinical trials targeting novel pathways that modulate mucosal inflammatory response and limit disease severity offer hope for improved pain relief. Addressing the multifaceted nature of OM-associated pain is essential for enhancing quality of life and optimizing cancer treatment outcomes. Further research is needed to establish robust, evidence-based guidelines for OM pain management.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC

PurposeTo update the 2015 clinical practice guideline for the prevention of oral mucositis in pediatric cancer or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients.MethodsWe performed seven systematic reviews of mucositis prevention. Three reviews included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in pediatric and adult patients evaluating cryotherapy, keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) or photobiomodulation therapy with a focus on efficacy. Three reviews included studies of any design conducted in pediatric patients evaluating these same interventions with a focus on adverse events and feasibility. One review included all RCTs of any intervention for mucositis prevention in pediatric patients. Primary outcome was severe oral mucositis.ResultsWe included 107 unique studies of cryotherapy (22 RCTs and 4 pediatric studies); KGF (15 RCTs and 12 pediatric studies); photobiomodulation therapy (29 RCTs and 8 pediatric studies) and any intervention (31 pediatric RCTs). Effects on severe mucositis reduction from RCTs were cryotherapy risk ratio (RR) 0.49 and 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31-0.76; palifermin RR 0.81 and 95% CI 0.69-0.95 and photobiomodulation therapy RR 0.40 and 95% CI 0.27-0.60. Cryotherapy was not feasible in young children while photobiomodulation therapy was feasible across age groups. Palifermin was associated with adverse effects.ConclusionsCryotherapy should be used for older cooperative pediatric patients who will receive short infusions of melphalan or 5-fluorouracil. Intraoral photobiomodulation therapy (620-750 nm spectrum) should be used in pediatric patients undergoing autologous or allogeneic HSCT and for pediatric head and neck carcinoma patients undergoing radiotherapy. Palifermin should not be used routinely in pediatric cancer or HSCT patients.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND