How has photobiomodulation been studied in oral mucositis during cancer care?

Thirty adults with hematologic malignancies undergoing stem cell transplantation were randomized to PBM or standard care. Lasers at 660 and 808 nm were applied three times weekly; mucositis, strength and quality of life were measured.

Support Care Cancer · 2026 · PMID 42399564

One hundred fifty five patients aged 1 to 18 receiving high dose methotrexate were randomized to intraoral PBM, 73 patients, or extraoral PBM, 82 patients. Daily 660 nm exposure during admission was followed by mucositis, pain and plaque assessments.

Support Care Cancer · 2026 · PMID 42897331

Fifty three adults with hematologic cancer receiving their first high dose methotrexate cycle were randomized to PBM, 26 people, or sham, 27 people. This double blind study used up to five daily sessions and measured mucositis and blood and saliva drug levels over nine days.

Oral Dis · 2026 · PMID 42438170

Eighty five people with head and neck cancer at twelve US sites were randomized to intraoral LED PBM, 42 people, or sham, 43 people. This double blind study used daily ten minute sessions before radiotherapy and measured mucositis and related symptoms.

Support Care Cancer · 2026 · PMID 42360517

Two comparable oral lesions in each of 53 people with head and neck cancer received either 660 nm light or sham twice weekly. Lesions and pain were compared within each person; random allocation is not reported in the abstract.

Radiother Oncol · 2026 · PMID 41864516

A prospective quasi experimental study assigned 76 cancer patients to four groups of 19. Blood laser irradiation alone was compared with added oral laser exposure, recording mucositis grades and questionnaires before and after.

Head Neck · 2026 · PMID 41999121

An observational study applied PBM from the onset of mucositis in 132 people with head and neck cancer. Mucositis and analgesic records were compared with 100 matched historical controls.

Support Care Cancer · 2026 · PMID 42234177

Ten people with head and neck cancer received intraoral PBM and eight received extraoral PBM five times weekly. Salivary oxidative and inflammatory markers were compared with twenty healthy controls; randomization is not reported in the abstract.

Sci Rep · 2026 · PMID 41935072

A matched cohort of 280 people with head and neck cancer compared PBM recipients with historical controls in a one to one ratio. Records of intraoral 660 nm and extraoral 810 nm exposure three times weekly were examined alongside morphine use and mucositis.

Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg · 2026 · PMID 41841486

Caregivers of 32 pediatric oncology patients who experienced both intraoral and extraoral PBM completed questionnaires. This observational analysis of trial participants assessed device preference, discomfort and perceived pain control.

Support Care Cancer · 2026 · PMID 42776303

A cross sectional study examined 113 patients aged 5 to 18 receiving methotrexate for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. PBM records, mucositis grades and quality of life questionnaires were analyzed without a separate unexposed control group.

Lasers Med Sci · 2026 · PMID 42283739

Three people with head and neck cancer and oral mucositis during radiotherapy received zinc carnosine mouthwash with Nd:YAG PBM. Pain and lesion area were recorded in a case series without a separate control group.

Case Rep Dent · 2026 · PMID 41948031

Records of 117 people with head and neck cancer receiving PBM during chemoradiotherapy were analyzed retrospectively. Mucositis, skin and swallowing symptoms were examined by session exposure without a separate unexposed control group.

J Clin Med · 2026 · PMID 42941485

A systematic review searched six databases and examined six randomized trials with 200 people receiving chemotherapy for hematologic diseases. It compared PBM with nonlaser approaches and reviewed mucositis assessment methods.

Lasers Med Sci · 2026 · PMID 41760795

A meta analysis examined 33 papers reporting 30 randomized trials with 1,748 people with head and neck cancer. Six databases were searched through April 2025 for mucositis, pain, saliva and questionnaire data.

Support Care Cancer · 2026 · PMID 41880047

A narrative review examined PBM literature on oral mucositis in cancer care by oral microbiome and inflammatory measurement methods. Clinical observations were distinguished from experiments; total paper and sample counts are not reported in the abstract.

Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther · 2026 · PMID 42858922

A meta analysis examined seven randomized PBM trials with 329 people during chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Literature from 2020 through 2026 was reviewed for exposure sites, wavelengths and mucositis grades.

Support Care Cancer · 2026 · PMID 42098536

A systematic review examined fifteen randomized trials with 868 adult cancer patients comparing PBM with sham. Searches ran through March 31, 2026, covering mucositis, pain and exposure protocols.

Support Care Cancer · 2026 · PMID 42319507

A narrative review examined low level laser, drug and microbiome approaches to oral mucositis during chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Human and animal inflammatory and microbial measurements were discussed; paper and sample counts are not reported in the abstract.

Life (Basel) · 2026 · PMID 42073454

A scoping review examined nine comparative and noncomparative studies of extraoral PBM in cancer patients. Exposure sites and mucositis assessments were reviewed; total participant numbers are not reported in the abstract.

Spec Care Dentist · 2026 · PMID 41715303

A review examined completed registered phase III and IV trials of mucositis and dry mouth interventions during head and neck radiotherapy. Drug and nondrug methods including low level laser were reviewed; trial and sample counts are not reported in the abstract.

Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg · 2026 · PMID 41622096

A systematic review examined 23 randomized PBM trials in adults aged at least 60 with oral conditions. Eight concerned oral mucositis during cancer care; total participant numbers are not reported in the abstract.

Dent J (Basel) · 2026 · PMID 42041684

An umbrella review examined 131 systematic reviews of oral and dental conditions in adults with head and neck cancer. PBM and other interventions and study overlap were assessed; total participants and PBM specific paper counts are not reported in the abstract.

J Dent · 2026 · PMID 42082093

A narrative review searched five databases for oral care literature after cancer care. It synthesized clinical studies, reviews and guidelines concerning low level laser and other approaches; included paper and sample counts are not reported in the abstract.

Dent Med Probl · 2026 · PMID 42719955

An umbrella review examined eight systematic reviews covering 257 primary studies on oral mucositis and quality of life in cancer patients. PBM and other approaches were included; participant totals and overlap are not reported in the abstract.

Pain Res Manag · 2026 · PMID 41647299

A narrative review of pain during head and neck radiotherapy examined oral mucositis and approaches including PBM. Clinical and mechanistic literature was considered; paper and sample counts are not reported in the abstract.

J Clin Med · 2026 · PMID 42452502

One hundred two rats were divided into five groups with oral mucositis induced using 5 fluorouracil. Submandibular tissue and oxidative markers were measured after 660 nm PBM, açaí supplementation or their combination.

Lasers Med Sci · 2026 · PMID 42060123