Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG Alleviates Oral Mucositis in Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy (RT) is an important treatment for head and neck malignant tumors and can be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy as radical or adjuvant therapy. Despite improvements in RT equipment and techniques, there are still a variety of acute oral complications, including oral mucositis (OM), xerostomia, taste dysfunction, and oral infection. OM is one of the most common acute radiation-related toxicity in head and neck malignant tumor patients receiving RT, and approximately 50~70% of patients experience severe oral mucositis (SOM). The painful inflammation and ulceration associated with OM not only profoundly affect patients' ability to eat, swallow, and speak but also decrease patients' tolerance to anti-cancer treatment, seriously impairing patients' quality of life (QoL) and causing interruptions and cancellations of cancer treatment. Standard treatment for OM focuses on pain control, rehydration, and good oral hygiene. For patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, palifermin (keratinocyte growth factor-1) is recommended. Although some clinical strategies for OM such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, mucosal protective agents, growth factors and cytokines, antibacterial, and pain relief drugs have been recommended by the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer and International Society of Oral Oncology (MASCC/ISOO), the therapeutic benefit is limited6. Thus, it is crucial to develop effective drugs or treatment strategies to decrease radiation-induced mucosal toxicity.

LGG has been used in clinical trials for the prevention and treatment of oral mucosal reactions during intensified radiotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (including nasopharyngeal carcinoma). It was isolated from a healthy adult's fecal sample and possesses good growth characteristics and the ability to adhere to epithelial layers. It has long been one of the most extensively researched and applied probiotic strains, utilized in various commercially available probiotic products. Its beneficial effects have been extensively studied in clinical trials and human intervention studies, including its role in preventing and treating gastrointestinal infections and diarrhea, stimulating immune responses, and even preventing certain allergic symptoms.

In addition to producing a biofilm that mechanically protects the mucosa, reduces epithelial cell apoptosis, and maintains cell cytoskeleton integrity, LGG also exhibits immunomodulatory properties. It protects the epithelium from radiation damage by reducing TLR-2/COX-2 activation and regulates the protein levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in tissues, actively participating in host defense processes. It can also reduce the number of pathogenic bacteria and regulate colony distribution.

The occurrence and development of radiation-induced oral mucositis are closely related to cellular immunity. A series of pro-inflammatory cytokines produced by immune cells such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 will positively feedback to amplify the inflammatory response of radiation-induced oral mucositis.

Regarding safety, LGG can be added to infant formula as a probiotic. Furthermore, studies have shown that a dosage of 3×10^9 CFU of LGG per day can be used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) without causing disease or toxicity in the body. Therefore, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG holds promise as a potential approach for preventing and treating radiation-induced oral mucositis.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients pathologically diagnosed with non-metastatic head and neck malignant tumors;
• Aged 18-80 years;
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of ≤2;
• Planning to receive definitive RT or postoperative adjuvant RT;
• Normal liver, kidney and bone marrow function;
• Sign informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Known hypersensitivity or more severe allergies to Lactobacillus Reuteri components;
• Those with poor compliance;
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding;
• History of head and neck radiotherapy;
• Taking antifungal or viral medications one week prior to the start of radiation therapy.
• Other patients (with any other serious other medical condition) who, in the opinion of the investigator, are not suitable for participation in this study.