Probiotics for the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis in chemotherapy and radiotherapy: A meta-review
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Abstract
Introduction: Oral mucositis is a common and painful complication of cancer treatment that significantly affects patients' quality of life. Objective: To determine the efficacy of probiotics in preventing and treating oral mucositis in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Method: A meta-review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Articles published between 2019 and 2024 were searched in four databases. Results: Probiotics significantly reduced the incidence of oral mucositis (RR = 0.84) and severe oral mucositis (RR = 0.65). Multi-strain probiotics were more effective than single-strain ones, with greater efficacy observed in Asian populations. Conclusions: Probiotics are a promising strategy for preventing and treating oral mucositis in cancer patients, significantly reducing its incidence and severity. Further studies are needed to optimize strain selection, establish optimal doses and durations, and understand mechanisms of action across diverse populations and cancer types.
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