Radiation-Induced Mucositis and Salivary EGF Levels in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer
1
Department of Oral Diagnosis, College of Dentistry University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq, Iraq
2
Department of Radiation Oncology, Baghdad Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Center, Baghdad Medical City Complex, Ministry of Health/Environment, Baghdad, Iraq, Iraq
Submission date: 2024-03-01
Final revision date: 2025-02-22
Acceptance date: 2025-04-02
Publication date: 2005-05-30
Corresponding author
Ameer Alturfi
Department of Oral Diagnosis, College of Dentistry University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq, Iraq
Department of Oral Diagnosis, College of Dentistry University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq, Iraq
Wiadomości Lekarskie 2025;(5):1125-1133
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Aim:
Background: Radiation-induced mucositis is a prevalent and distressing acute toxicity that frequently occurs during active therapy for head and neck cancer. It is characterized by pain and oral intake difficulties, and affects a significant majority of patients. Radiation and chemotherapy produce microvascular damage to rapidly dividing basal epithelial cells, which serves as both the initial cause and stimulant for the inflammatory process. Epidermal growth factor may potentially assist to maintain the integrity of the oral mucosa. Aims: The present study aims to investigate the correlation between the concentration of salivary epidermal growth factor and the development of radiation-induced mucositis in patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer.
Material and methods:
Methods: A cross-sectional study examined radiotherapy-treated head and neck cancer patients. Saliva samples were collected before radiation treatment, as well as at two weeks and four weeks after starting treatment. The epidermal growth factor levels in saliva samples were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Results:
Results: After two and four weeks of radiation, EGF expressions were considerably greater than those in the control group. The optimal cut-off EGF for prediction of oral mucositis after radiotherapy was 502.1 pg/ml.
Conclusions:
Conclusions: epidermal growth factor level may affect radiation-induced mucosal healing. In patients receiving regular daily fractions of radiation, higher EGF concentrations reduced the probability of mucositis occurrence. Oral mucositis has decreased compared to prior trials using older radiation delivery technologies.
Background: Radiation-induced mucositis is a prevalent and distressing acute toxicity that frequently occurs during active therapy for head and neck cancer. It is characterized by pain and oral intake difficulties, and affects a significant majority of patients. Radiation and chemotherapy produce microvascular damage to rapidly dividing basal epithelial cells, which serves as both the initial cause and stimulant for the inflammatory process. Epidermal growth factor may potentially assist to maintain the integrity of the oral mucosa. Aims: The present study aims to investigate the correlation between the concentration of salivary epidermal growth factor and the development of radiation-induced mucositis in patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer.
Material and methods:
Methods: A cross-sectional study examined radiotherapy-treated head and neck cancer patients. Saliva samples were collected before radiation treatment, as well as at two weeks and four weeks after starting treatment. The epidermal growth factor levels in saliva samples were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Results:
Results: After two and four weeks of radiation, EGF expressions were considerably greater than those in the control group. The optimal cut-off EGF for prediction of oral mucositis after radiotherapy was 502.1 pg/ml.
Conclusions:
Conclusions: epidermal growth factor level may affect radiation-induced mucosal healing. In patients receiving regular daily fractions of radiation, higher EGF concentrations reduced the probability of mucositis occurrence. Oral mucositis has decreased compared to prior trials using older radiation delivery technologies.
Share
RELATED ARTICLE
| eISSN: | 2719-342X |
| ISSN: | 0043-5147 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
