The efficacy of MLS® Laser Therapy in the treatment of Radiation-Induced Oral Mucositis

11 September 2024 - Research -
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A recent study by Alfeky et al. (2023), published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Negative Results, provides new and revolutionary information on the effects of MLS® Laser Therapy on Radiation-Induced Oral Mucositis (RIOM) in Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) patients. This research, conducted using the M6 robotic device, is the first of its kind to explore this application, offering new hope to patients suffering from this debilitating side effect of radiotherapy.

Oral Mucositis: what is it?

Oral mucositis is a frequent and painful complication of cancer treatments, especially radiotherapy. It is characterised by inflammation and ulcers in the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat, which causes intense pain, difficulty swallowing and an increased risk of infection. Managing RIOM effectively is essential to maintain quality of life in cancer patients.

The study

The aim of this randomised clinical trial was to compare the efficacy of MLS® Laser Therapy (Group A) with Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT, Group B) and a placebo laser treatment (Group C) in the treatment of RIOM. The study included 60 patients, a good sample to assess the impact of the different treatments.

Main Results

The results of the study were significant and promising:

  • Reduction of Pain: The patients of the MLS® group experienced a 62% reduction in pain, a substantial improvement when compared to the 29% reduction in pain observed in the LLLT group.
  • Reduction of Severity: The severity of the mucositis, measured using the WHO scale, decreased by 55.7% in the MLS® group, compared to 30.9% in the LLLT group. The placebo group did not show any significant improvement.

These results point out the greater efficacy of MLS® Laser Therapy in alleviating the symptoms of RIOM compared to LLLT and placebo.

Advantages of MLS® Laser Therapy

The results of the study also revealed some significant advantages of the use of MLS®:

  • Easy of Use: The M6 device allows for the fast and efficient treatment of large areas, helping both patients and operators save time.
  • Less Risk of Infection: Unlike intra-oral LLLT, the non-invasive approach of MLS® Laser Therapy minimises the risk of infection during treatment.
  • Improved Quality of Life: By significantly reducing pain and the severity of mucositis, MLS® Laser Therapy improves the overall quality of life of HNC patients undergoing radiotherapy.

The results of this study suggest that, although still considered an off-label application, MLS® Laser Therapy could become a new and effective approach for the management of Radiation-Induced Oral Mucositis in Head and Neck Cancer patients. This therapy not only reduces pain and the severity of mucositis, but also offers practical advantages in terms of ease of use and less risk of infection.

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