Photobiomodulation in the Prevention and Management of Oral Mucositis in Children

Oral mucositis (OM) is a frequent, debilitating complication in pediatric oncology that impairs quality of life, nutrition, hydration, and treatment adherence. This randomized, prospective, single blind trial in Mexico will evaluate photobiomodulation (PBM) versus a conventional bioadhesive gel for prevention and treatment of antineoplastic therapy-induced OM in children aged 4-17 with leukemia, lymphoma, or head and neck tumors. A total of 49 participants will be enrolled. The study has two components: (1) Treatment - parallel comparison of PBM versus bioadhesive gel for established OM; (2) Prevention - crossover design in which patients receive both interventions across successive chemotherapy cycles. PBM will be delivered with a 660 nm device, 40 mW, 10 J/cm². The primary outcome is OM grade by the WHO scale assessed on days 7, 11, 14, and 21. Expected results include reduced OM incidence, severity, duration, and pain with favorable safety and tolerability, supporting standardized PBM protocols in pediatric oncology in Mexico.

Oral mucositis is a common and debilitating adverse effect in pediatric patients undergoing cancer treatment. It significantly affects quality of life, nutrition, hydration, and treatment adherence. Photobiomodulation is a promising non-invasive therapy, but there is limited evidence in the pediatric population, particularly in Mexico. Objective: To evaluate the clinical utility of FBM in the prevention and treatment of OM induced by antineoplastic therapy in pediatric cancer patients, compared to conventional treatment with bioadhesive gel. This is a randomized, single-blind clinical trial in patients aged 4 to 17 years. The design includes two arms: 1) Treatment (parallel design: FBM vs. gel for established OM) and 2) Prevention (crossover design: patients receive both interventions in successive cycles of chemotherapy). The primary outcome will be the degree of OM according to the WHO scale. FBM is expected to significantly reduce the incidence, severity, and duration of OM, as well as the intensity of pain. In addition, scientific evidence will be generated on the implementation of FBM in pediatric oncology in Mexico, with the potential to standardize protocols that improve patients' quality of life and optimize the management of oral complications of antineoplastic treatment.