Photobiomodulation therapy for the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis in head and neck cancer patients (DERMISHEAD trial)

Background and purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) for the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. Materials and methods A randomised, placebo-controlled trial (RCT) with 46 HNC patients who underwent radiotherapy (RT) with or without concomitant chemotherapy was set up (DERMISHEAD trial). Patients were randomised to receive PBM or placebo treatments from the first day of RT (2×/week) alongside the institutional skincare. The severity of skin reactions was assessed by the National Cancer Institute-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.03 (NCI-CTCAE v4.03) and the Radiotherapy-Induced Skin Reaction Assessment Scale (RISRAS). Quality of life (QoL) was evaluated using the Skindex-16 questionnaire. Results PBMT significantly reduced NCI-CTCAE grade 2–3 ARD with 49% at the end of RT. Conclusion The results of the first RCT in HNC patients showed that PBMT is an effective method to prevent the development of severe ARD. These results support the implementation of PBM in the clinical oncology – radiotherapy practice. This research is part of the Limburg Clinical Research Center (LCRC) UHasselt-ZOL-Jessa, financially supported by the foundation Limburg Sterk Merk, province of Limburg, Flemish Government, Hasselt University, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, and Jessa Hospital. Additionally, this research project is funded by Kom op tegen Kanker (Stand up to Cancer), the Flemish Cancer Society, Limburgs Kankerfonds, and ASA Srl.